Joe is 2 1/2 years old and is developing a strong sense of independence. According to Erikson's theory of socioemotional development, he is most likely in which stage of development?

Autonomy vs. shame and doubt

Explanation:

Erik Erikson was a psychologist who developed a theory of psychosocial development. According to this theory, people go through a series of different stages, in form of crisis, along their whole lifespan.

The second stage of this theory is called "Autonomy vs. shame and doubt" and it takes place between the ages of 1.5 years to 3 years of age.

During this stage, children are trying to develop a sense of control and independence. (that's why most 2-year-old are stubborn and don't want to follow instructions or do what their caregivers ask them to do).

If children in this stage are encouraged to be independent, they will become more confident in their own abilities, if not, they will feel inadequate and will have doubts and will have a sense of shame in their abilities.

In this example, Joe is 2.5 years old and he is developing a strong sense of independence. We can see that because of his age and because of the sense of independence he must be in the "Autonomy vs. Shame and doubt" stage.