Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPsychosocial StagesWhy Autonomy MattersExamplesImpact of Shame and DoubtEncouraging SuccessOvercoming ShameNext in Psychosocial Development GuideInitiative vs. Guilt: Psychosocial Stage 3
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Psychosocial Stages
Why Autonomy Matters
Examples
Impact of Shame and Doubt
Encouraging Success
Overcoming Shame
Next in Psychosocial Development Guide
Close
Verywell / Nusha Ashjaee
Autonomy versusshameand doubt is the second stage ofErik Erikson’s stages ofpsychosocial development. This stage occurs between the age of 18 months and around age 2 or 3 years. According to Erikson, children at this stage are focused on developing a greater sense of self-control.
Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development describes a series of eight stages that take place throughout the course of life. The first stage of development, trust vs. mistrust, is all about developing a sense of trust in the world.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the major events of the second psychosocial stage of development.
OverviewPsychosocial Conflict:Autonomy vs. shame and doubtMajor Question:“Can I do things myself or am I reliant on the help of others?“Basic Virtue:WillImportant Event(s):Toilet training
Overview
Psychosocial Conflict:Autonomy vs. shame and doubtMajor Question:“Can I do things myself or am I reliant on the help of others?“Basic Virtue:WillImportant Event(s):Toilet training
Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages
Psychologist Erik Erikson created the eight stages of psychosocial development in the 1950s. Similar toFreud’s theory ofpsychosexual development, Erikson’s theory posits that there are distinct stages children pass through that influence adulthood.
However, unlike Freud’s theory, Erikson’s stages continue into adulthood. Erikson believed that human personalities continue to develop past the age of five.
As opposed to Freud’s theory, which posits that sexual crises are the main catalysts of psychological changes, Erikson’s psychosocial stages put social dynamics at the forefront of development.
Erikson believed there are interpersonal challenges unique to each age group—these challenges form each of the eight stages. They are:
If you are a parent or if you have ever interacted with a child between the ages of 18 months and 3 years, then you have probably witnessed many of the hallmarks of the autonomy versus shame and doubt stage.
It is between the age of 18 months and 3 years that young children begin to express a greater need for independence and control over themselves and the world around them.
During the previous stage of development, trust vs. mistrust, children are almost entirely dependent upon others for their care and safety. It is during this stage that children build the foundations of trust in the world.
As they progress into the second stage, however, it is important for young children to begin developing a sense of personal independence and control. As they learn to do things for themselves, they establish a sense of control over themselves as well as some basicconfidencein their own abilities.
Autonomy is an important part of development for children. Autonomyallows children to:
Examples of Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
Gaining a sense of personal control over the world is important at this stage of development. Children at this age are becoming increasingly independent and want to gain more control over what they do and how they do it.
There are a number of different ways in which parents mayencourageautonomy:
Kids who have confidence in their skills are more likely to succeed in subsequent tasks such as mastering social, academic, and other skills.
There following are ways in which parents (even unknowingly)discourageautonomy:
Kids in this stage of development often feel the need to do things independently, such as picking out what they will wear each day, putting on their own clothes, and deciding what they will eat.
While this can often be frustrating for parents and caregivers, it is an important part of developing a sense of self-control and personal autonomy.
How to Be More Patient
Consequences of Shame and Doubt
Shame is defined as a “self-conscious” emotion that results when a person feels there is something dishonorable about themselves or their conduct.
A person who experiences shame may hide parts of themselves from social relationships; they may also engage in avoidant or defensive behavior. Shame is linked with mental health conditions like depression, anxiety,eating disorders, and low self-esteem.
Self-doubt is linked with lowself-esteemlevels, as well as greater nervousness in regard to performance.
Parents who tend to excessively control their children may unknowingly contribute to greater levels ofself-doubtin their children.
A parent with an intensiveparenting stylemay be prone to over-scheduling their child, excessively controlling their child, making decisions for them, and overly surveilling their child and their activities. However, these behaviors may negatively affect the child over time.
Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to parenting. And while there are positive and negative effects linked with intensive parenting styles, some of the negative effects may include a child experiencing:
However, it’s important to keep in mind that there is no “perfect” parenting. There will be times when parents interfere with their child’s autonomy (even without realizing it). Every child will, at some point, experience shame and doubt.
Erikson’s theory simply points out that, during this stage of childhood, a child benefits from having more opportunities than not to engage with the world on their own terms. Being consistently blocked from having their own experiences or voicing their own thoughts, for instance, may be harmful.
How Can Parents Encourage Success?
There are a number of things that parents can do in order to foster success during this stage of psychosocial development.
Building Your Child’s AutonomyProvide opportunities for children to be independent. Allow them to make food, clothing, and toy choices and provide reassurance that they have done a good job.Be supportive during potty training, but not punitive for accidents.Offer safe outlets where children are able to play independently with the support and guidance of a trusted caregiver.
Building Your Child’s Autonomy
Provide opportunities for children to be independent. Allow them to make food, clothing, and toy choices and provide reassurance that they have done a good job.Be supportive during potty training, but not punitive for accidents.Offer safe outlets where children are able to play independently with the support and guidance of a trusted caregiver.
Offering reassurance and having faith in your child’s abilities is crucial to the development of a sense of autonomy and confidence. Parents who are negative or who punish a child for simple mistakes can contribute to feelings of shame or self-doubt.
Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt
Shame can feel overwhelming at times. But there are ways to address shame and the harmful effects it may have on your life:
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
A Word From Verywell
According to Erikson, autonomy vs. shame and doubt is the stage in which a child learns to be independent and make their own decisions in life. Parents are encouraged to promote their child’s autonomy, particularly during this stage.
However, it’s important to remember that shame is part of the human experience. If you carry shame from childhood, know that you aren’t alone. With time and emotional support, you can overcome difficult feelings that may be preventing you from being your most confident and self-assured.
8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lewis S, Abell S.Autonomy versus shame and doubt.Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences.2020:338-341. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-24612-3_570Harvard University. Department of Psychology.Erik Erikson.Han CS, Brussoni MJ, Mâsse LC.Parental autonomy support in the context of parent-child negotiation for children’s independent mobility: ‘I always feel safer with my parents’ to ‘Boom! bust down those walls!'.J Early Adolesc. 2022;42(6):737-764. doi:10.1177/02724316211064513American Psychological Association.Shame.Zhao Q, Wichman A, Frishberg E.Self-doubt effects depend on beliefs about ability: Experimental evidence.J Gen Psychol. 2019;146(3):299-324. doi:10.1080/00221309.2019.1585320Effective discipline for children.Paediatr Child Health. 2004;9(1):37–50. doi:10.1093/pch/9.1.37Clark A.Working with guilt and shame.Adv psychiatr treat.2012;18(2):137-143. doi:10.1192/apt.bp.110.008326Wolters LH, Prins PJM, Garst GJA, et al.Mediating mechanisms in cognitive behavioral therapy for childhood OCD: The role of dysfunctional beliefs.Child Psychiatry Hum Dev.2018;50(2):173-185. doi:10.1007/s10578-018-0830-8Additional ReadingErikson, EH.Childhood and Society.2nd ed. New York: Norton; 1963.Erikson, EH.Identity: Youth and Crisis.New York: Norton; 1968.
8 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lewis S, Abell S.Autonomy versus shame and doubt.Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences.2020:338-341. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-24612-3_570Harvard University. Department of Psychology.Erik Erikson.Han CS, Brussoni MJ, Mâsse LC.Parental autonomy support in the context of parent-child negotiation for children’s independent mobility: ‘I always feel safer with my parents’ to ‘Boom! bust down those walls!'.J Early Adolesc. 2022;42(6):737-764. doi:10.1177/02724316211064513American Psychological Association.Shame.Zhao Q, Wichman A, Frishberg E.Self-doubt effects depend on beliefs about ability: Experimental evidence.J Gen Psychol. 2019;146(3):299-324. doi:10.1080/00221309.2019.1585320Effective discipline for children.Paediatr Child Health. 2004;9(1):37–50. doi:10.1093/pch/9.1.37Clark A.Working with guilt and shame.Adv psychiatr treat.2012;18(2):137-143. doi:10.1192/apt.bp.110.008326Wolters LH, Prins PJM, Garst GJA, et al.Mediating mechanisms in cognitive behavioral therapy for childhood OCD: The role of dysfunctional beliefs.Child Psychiatry Hum Dev.2018;50(2):173-185. doi:10.1007/s10578-018-0830-8Additional ReadingErikson, EH.Childhood and Society.2nd ed. New York: Norton; 1963.Erikson, EH.Identity: Youth and Crisis.New York: Norton; 1968.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lewis S, Abell S.Autonomy versus shame and doubt.Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences.2020:338-341. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-24612-3_570Harvard University. Department of Psychology.Erik Erikson.Han CS, Brussoni MJ, Mâsse LC.Parental autonomy support in the context of parent-child negotiation for children’s independent mobility: ‘I always feel safer with my parents’ to ‘Boom! bust down those walls!'.J Early Adolesc. 2022;42(6):737-764. doi:10.1177/02724316211064513American Psychological Association.Shame.Zhao Q, Wichman A, Frishberg E.Self-doubt effects depend on beliefs about ability: Experimental evidence.J Gen Psychol. 2019;146(3):299-324. doi:10.1080/00221309.2019.1585320Effective discipline for children.Paediatr Child Health. 2004;9(1):37–50. doi:10.1093/pch/9.1.37Clark A.Working with guilt and shame.Adv psychiatr treat.2012;18(2):137-143. doi:10.1192/apt.bp.110.008326Wolters LH, Prins PJM, Garst GJA, et al.Mediating mechanisms in cognitive behavioral therapy for childhood OCD: The role of dysfunctional beliefs.Child Psychiatry Hum Dev.2018;50(2):173-185. doi:10.1007/s10578-018-0830-8
Lewis S, Abell S.Autonomy versus shame and doubt.Encyclopedia of Personality and Individual Differences.2020:338-341. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-24612-3_570
Harvard University. Department of Psychology.Erik Erikson.
Han CS, Brussoni MJ, Mâsse LC.Parental autonomy support in the context of parent-child negotiation for children’s independent mobility: ‘I always feel safer with my parents’ to ‘Boom! bust down those walls!'.J Early Adolesc. 2022;42(6):737-764. doi:10.1177/02724316211064513
American Psychological Association.Shame.
Zhao Q, Wichman A, Frishberg E.Self-doubt effects depend on beliefs about ability: Experimental evidence.J Gen Psychol. 2019;146(3):299-324. doi:10.1080/00221309.2019.1585320
Effective discipline for children.Paediatr Child Health. 2004;9(1):37–50. doi:10.1093/pch/9.1.37
Clark A.Working with guilt and shame.Adv psychiatr treat.2012;18(2):137-143. doi:10.1192/apt.bp.110.008326
Wolters LH, Prins PJM, Garst GJA, et al.Mediating mechanisms in cognitive behavioral therapy for childhood OCD: The role of dysfunctional beliefs.Child Psychiatry Hum Dev.2018;50(2):173-185. doi:10.1007/s10578-018-0830-8
Erikson, EH.Childhood and Society.2nd ed. New York: Norton; 1963.Erikson, EH.Identity: Youth and Crisis.New York: Norton; 1968.
Erikson, EH.Childhood and Society.2nd ed. New York: Norton; 1963.
Erikson, EH.Identity: Youth and Crisis.New York: Norton; 1968.
Meet Our Review Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit
What is your feedback?
