This discussion post will require you to talk about Erikson’s Second Stage – Autonomy vs Shame/Doubt – as it pertains to your own experiences during your toddler/early preschool years (You can ask parents or other relatives to share what they remember about this time – what was going on in your family). If you feel uncomfortable sharing your own experiences , you may make up an imaginary child – however, whatever example you use in this post – must build on what you wrote in the previous post (trust vs mistrust). There must be a logical progression from the previous post to this one. You will be building upon this post in future posts – be consistent.

QUESTION

This discussion post will require you to talk about Erikson’s Second Stage – Autonomy vs Shame/Doubt – as it pertains to your own experiences during your toddler/early preschool years (You can ask parents or other relatives to share what they remember about this time – what was going on in your family). If you feel uncomfortable sharing your own experiences , you may make up an imaginary child – however, whatever example you use in this post – must build on what you wrote in the previous post (trust vs mistrust). There must be a logical progression from the previous post to this one. You will be building upon this post in future posts – be consistent.

previous post below :

Growing up as a child was an experience that was mixed with a lot of emotions. From stories I was told by my folks of how I used to behave in my first year, was an awesome experience and it really depicts my current behaviour and interaction with different people.

Since crying was the medium of communication at this stage, I was fond of crying when I wanted to pass any message. I was told that I had one fear of any person who wore spectacles. I hardly trusted anyone who had them on. This is because the first injection I received during immunization was done by a medic who wore spectacles. So even if a guest would visit home and has spectacles I could cry out loud in fear that maybe it’s the same medic.

When I was around the age of 6 months, I had bonded so well with the care giver that I was no longer close to my parents. I was used to the care giver that I could not let anyone else feed me. The bond was so affectionate that even when the care giver leaves for a moment I could cry since I was already used to staying with her.

Another behaviour that I had was the fear of interacting with strangers. Whenever we had guests at home, I could not calm at all. I used to cry unless I am taken to a different room from where the guests are. I did not relate well with new faces and it could take me time before I started relating with them. It is a behaviour that has stood out to date because I am still not that easy going with strangers. These experiences clearly show that during infancy, that bond that is created in that period is essential since they determine the growth and development of a child.

ANSWER

 Autonomy vs Shame/Doubt: Nurturing Independence and Overcoming Fear

Introduction

Erikson’s Second Stage of psychosocial development, Autonomy vs Shame/Doubt, is a critical period that occurs during the toddler and early preschool years. This stage builds upon the foundation of trust established in the previous stage, Trust vs Mistrust, and focuses on the child’s growing sense of independence and self-control. In this essay, I will reflect upon my own experiences during this stage, shedding light on the development of autonomy and the challenges of overcoming fear and doubt.

Building upon Trust

During infancy, the establishment of trust lays the groundwork for further development. My previous post described my inclination to communicate through crying and my initial fear of individuals wearing spectacles (Stangor, 2014). This fear, rooted in a past experience, illustrates the impact of trust on subsequent stages of development. Trust, or lack thereof, influences a child’s ability to form secure attachments and navigate new social interactions.

Nurturing Autonomy

As I transitioned into the toddler and early preschool years, my sense of autonomy began to emerge. A significant aspect of my autonomy was manifested in my strong bond with my primary caregiver, a nanny (Munday & Munday, 2021). I relied heavily on her for my daily needs and found it challenging to accept care from others, including my parents. This preference exemplified my desire to assert my independence and exercise control over my environment, a characteristic hallmark of the Autonomy vs Shame/Doubt stage.

Overcoming Fear and Doubt

Another key aspect of this stage was my fear and discomfort around strangers. When guests visited our home, I would become anxious and cry uncontrollably until I was separated from their presence (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US), n.d.). This fear of interacting with unfamiliar faces extended beyond my early years and continues to influence my interactions with strangers today. Overcoming this fear and developing confidence in social situations has been an ongoing process, rooted in the need to resolve the inherent tension between autonomy and self-doubt.

Conclusion

Reflecting on Erikson’s Second Stage, Autonomy vs Shame/Doubt, I can observe the progression from the foundation of trust established in the previous stage. My experiences as a toddler and early preschooler highlight the significance of nurturing autonomy and the challenges of overcoming fear and doubt. Through the nurturing of autonomy, I sought to assert my independence, developing a strong attachment to a caregiver and displaying reluctance to accept help from others. Simultaneously, the fear of interacting with strangers exemplified the struggles of building self-confidence and overcoming doubt.

In subsequent posts, we will explore how these early experiences influenced later stages of my psychosocial development and delve further into the impact of Erikson’s stages on my personal growth and interactions with the world.

References

Munday, A., & Munday, A. (2021). What is Autonomy in Early Childhood Education? HiMama Blog – Resources for Daycare Centers. https://www.himama.com/blog/what-is-autonomy-in-early-childhood-education/ 

Stangor, C. (2014, October 17). 7.2 Infancy and Childhood: Exploring and Learning. Pressbooks. https://opentextbc.ca/introductiontopsychology/chapter/6-2-infancy-and-childhood-exploring-and-learning/ 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). (n.d.). Table 16, DSM-IV to DSM-5 Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Disorder Comparison – DSM-5 Changes – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519712/table/ch3.t12/