Autonomy versus shame and doubt is central to erikson's theory.

The answer is the theory of Psychosocial Development.

The theory divides the human development in eight stages from his infancy to old age. The theory is associated to Erik Erikson.

Autonomy versus shame and doubt is the second stage of human development associated to his/her early childhood, two to four years of age. Those children who pass the second stage of psychosocial development have better behaviors as opposed to those who cannot.