What stage involves a child’s journey toward independence and decision-making, leading to shame and doubt?

The stage that involves a child’s journey toward independence and decision-making, which can lead to feelings of shame and doubt, is the Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt Stage. This stage typically occurs between the ages of 1 and 3, according to Erik Erikson's psychosocial development theory. During this critical period, toddlers begin to assert their independence by exploring their environment and making choices, such as choosing what to wear or deciding whether to play or eat.

When caregivers support this independence, children start to develop a sense of autonomy, leading to confidence in their ability to make decisions. However, if caretakers are overly critical or controlling, children may experience shame and doubt about their abilities to act independently. This struggle between asserting autonomy and dealing with the risk of shame shapes their self-esteem and self-concept as they emerge into later stages of development.

The other stages focus on different developmental conflicts. For example, Trust vs. Mistrust is about developing a sense of safety and security, Initiative vs. Guilt deals with taking initiative and the balance between assertiveness and feelings of guilt, and Industry vs. Inferiority centers on mastering skills and gaining competence. Each stage represents a unique phase in development, highlighting the importance of the autonomy stage