Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN)

According to Erikson's theory, when does a child typically develop a conscience?

1. By the end of the first year of life

2. By the end of the toddler stage

3. During the preschool age

4. During the school age

The correct answer is: During the preschool age

In Erikson's psychosocial development theory, the stage during which a child typically develops a conscience aligns with the preschool age, roughly between the ages of 3 to 6 years. This developmental stage is characterized by the psychosocial conflict of initiative versus guilt. As children engage in more social interactions and begin to assert their power and control over their environment, they also start to learn about rules, expectations, and the consequences of their actions. During this time, they begin to grasp concepts of right and wrong, which is a fundamental component of conscience development. They start to internalize societal values and norms, learning to navigate feelings of guilt when they violate those standards. This is crucial for moral development and lays the foundation for future ethical reasoning as they grow. In contrast, the early stages of development, such as infancy and toddlerhood, are focused more on trust, autonomy, and basic emotional responses rather than the complex understanding of morality that emerges later. That is why the development of a conscience is specifically associated with the preschool years.