🧠ap psychology review

Competence vs. Inferiority

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

This is the fourth stage of Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, typically occurring between ages 5-12. Children in this stage learn to master new skills or risk a sense of inferiority.

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