What ego virtue is associated with the second stage?

What ego virtue is associated with the second stage?

• A. Will
• B. Hope
• C. Purpose
• D. Competence

Answer: (A)

Erikson’s psychosocial development framework assigns an ego virtue to each stage. In the second stage, the focus is on autonomy and the child’s growing sense of control, which yields the virtue of Will—the capacity to act with intention, make choices, and assert oneself. When children successfully navigate independence, they develop will; when autonomy is overly restricted or punished, doubt can undermine it. This stage specifically corresponds to autonomy vs. shame and doubt, leading to Will as the ego virtue. The other virtues align with different stages: Hope comes from trust vs. mistrust, Purpose from initiative vs. guilt, and Competence from industry vs. inferiority.

Erikson’s psychosocial development framework assigns an ego virtue to each stage. In the second stage, the focus is on autonomy and the child’s growing sense of control, which yields the virtue of Will—the capacity to act with intention, make choices, and assert oneself. When children successfully navigate independence, they develop will; when autonomy is overly restricted or punished, doubt can undermine it. This stage specifically corresponds to autonomy vs. shame and doubt, leading to Will as the ego virtue. The other virtues align with different stages: Hope comes from trust vs. mistrust, Purpose from initiative vs. guilt, and Competence from industry vs. inferiority.