Why are Erikson's conflicts 5-8 considered less significant in child development?

• A. They occur after the age of 12
• B. They occur only during infancy
• C. They are not part of human development
• D. They are less important than physical development

Answer: (A)

The key idea is timing. Erikson’s later conflicts begin around adolescence and carry into adulthood, starting around age 12. In child development, the most direct and observable growth happens in the earlier stages that occur during the preschool and early school years—trust versus mistrust, autonomy versus shame, initiative versus guilt, and industry versus inferiority. Because stages 5 through 8 begin after the typical child-rearing window, they’re less central to understanding child development in everyday childcare settings. They’re still important for lifelong development, but their effects show up later, in adolescence and beyond, rather than in early childhood.