According to Erikson, what happens if a child does not resolve a stage-specific conflict?

• A. The child would continue to exhibit tendencies of that stage regardless of age.
• B. The child would automatically catch up later in life.
• C. The child would become fearless in all tasks.
• D. The child would never experience difficulty again.

Answer: (A)

Unresolved stage-specific conflicts in Erikson’s theory lead to fixation, meaning the pattern of coping from that stage tends to stick with a person across life. When the struggle isn’t resolved, the child doesn’t just move on; the way they meet needs, relate to others, and handle challenges remains anchored to that early pattern. That’s why the best statement is that the child would continue to exhibit tendencies of that stage regardless of age—the traits from that stage can influence behavior well into adulthood.

This isn’t about skipping ahead or becoming fearless in every task. It’s about enduring tendencies shaped by an unresolved conflict. And it doesn’t imply difficulties disappear forever; rather, new challenges can bring up the same underlying patterns in different contexts.