Question

How does erikson theory industry v.s inferiority relate and support Dweck's ideas and theory of mindsets

Answer 1

Erickson's stage of industry vs inferior states that this stage is very important for the self esteem development of the child. The child tend to prove himself by exhibiting certain traits or skills which are valued by his parents or teachers. When the child is encouraged at this stage, the child develops confidence in himself and his abilities, but if he is not encouraged and treated harshly, then he can start feeling inferior.

Dwecks's theory of growth and fixed mindset also talks about how children are influenced by the feedback which they are given by their parents or peers. When the parents or others attribute the child's ability to innate ability, the child develops a fixed mindset. Whereas when efforts, hard work and skills are attributed to child's behavior the they develop a growth mindset.

In Erickson's theory the industry is the growth mindset of Dweck's theory. When children are encouraged and their success or failure is attributed to skills, competencies and other aspects in which they can improve, then children tend to feel encouraged and develop high self confidence. But, if children are discouraged and shown that they are not capable, and that they cannot improve themselves, then they develop inferiority or a fixed mindset which hampers their growth.