the development of personality. The child whose needs are met develops a
sense of basic trust . For this child the world is a good place and people are
loving and approachable. Unfortunately, some infants never receive the lov-
ing care they need. As a result, they develop a sense of basic mistrust . These
children begin a lifelong pattern of suspicion about and withdrawal fromother people.
Autonomy Versus Shame and Doubt
By the second year of life, children want to know who they are relative to therest of the world. Is the world something they control or something that con-
trols them? When allowed to manipulate and control much of what they en-
counter, children come through this stage with a sense of autonomy . They
feel powerful and independent. They have a strong sense of personal mastery.
People with a sense of autonomy are confident that they can navigate their
way through the sea of obstacles and challenges life has in store. However,just as Adler warned against pampering, Erikson observed that overly protec-
tive parents can hinder development at this age. If not allowed to explore andOld AgeEgo Integrity vs.
 Despair
AdulthoodGenerativity vs.
 Stagnation
Y oung AdulthoodIntimacy vs.
 Isolation
AdolescenceIdentity vs.
 Role Confusion
Elementary School AgeIndustry vs.
 Inferiority
Early ChildhoodInitiative vs.
 Guilt
ToddlerAutonomy vs.
 Shame and Doubt
InfancyTrust vs.
 Mistrust
FIGURE 5.1 Erikson ’s Eight Stages of DevelopmentErik Erikson 107