Developmental Theories
Kohlberg's Stages of Moral Development
Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral development are an adaptation of the Piaget Stages. According to the theory, moral reasoning develops in six stages, each more
adequate at responding to moral dilemmas than the one before.
Pre-Conventional Morality
Stage 1
Obedience or Punishment Orientation
This is the stage that all young children start at (and a few adults remain in).
Rules are seen as being fixed and absolute. Obeying the rules is important
because it means avoiding punishment.
Stage 2
Self-Interest Orientation
As children grow older, they begin to see that other people have their own
goals and preferences and that often there is room for negotiation.
Decisions are made based on the principle of "What's in it for me?" For
example, an older child might reason: "If I do what mom or dad wants me to
do, they will reward me. Therefore I will do it."
Conventional Morality
Stage 3
Social Conformity Orientation
By adolescence, most individuals have developed to this stage. There is a
sense of what "good boys" and "nice girls" do and the emphasis is on living
up to social expectations and norms because of how they impact day-to-day
relationships.
Stage 4
Law and Order Orientation
By the time individuals reach adulthood, they usually consider society as a
whole when making judgments. The focus is on maintaining law and order
by following the rules, doing one's duty and respecting authority.
Post-Conventional Morality
Stage 5
Social Contract Orientation
At this stage, people understand that there are differing opinions out there
on what is right and wrong and that laws are really just a social contract
based on majority decision and inevitable compromise. People at this stage
sometimes disobey rules if they find them to be inconsistent with their
personal values and will also argue for certain laws to be changed if they
are no longer "working". Our modern democracies are based on the
reasoning of Stage 5.
Stage 6
Universal Ethics Orientation
Few people operate at this stage all the time. It is based on abstract
reasoning and the ability to put oneself in other people's shoes. At this
stage, people have a principled conscience and will follow universal ethical
principles regardless of what the official laws and rules are.
Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development Chart
The most widely accepted theory of how human beings develop from infancy to old age is Erik Erikson's stages of psychosocial
development. At each stage, there is a crisis to be resolved and a virtue to be gained. According to the theory, failure to properly master each
step leads to problems in the future.
Age
Conflict
Virtue/Events
Description/Outcome
Freud
At this stage babies learn to trust that their parents will
meet their basic needs. If a child's basic needs aren't
properly met at this age, he or she might grow up with
a general mistrust of the world.
Oral
As toddlers, children begin to develop independence
and start to learn that they can do some things on
their own (such as going to the toilet). If a child is not
encouraged properly at this age, he or she might
develop shame and doubt about their abilities.
Anal
Stage
1
0-1
Trust
vs
Mistrust
Attachment
Stage
2
1-3
Autonomy
vs
Shame &
Doubt
Will/
Toilet
Training
Stage
3
3-6
Initiative
vs
Guilt
Purpose/
Independence
As preschoolers, children continue to develop more
independence and start to do things of their own
initiative. If a child is not able to take initiative and
succeed at appropriate tasks, he or she might develop
guilt over their needs and desires.
Phallic
Stage
4
612
Industry
vs
Inferiority
Competence/
School
Throughout their school years, children continue to
develop self-confidence through learning new things.
If they are not encouraged and praised properly at this
age, they may develop an inferiority complex.
Latent
Stage
5
1319
Identity
vs
Role
Confusion
Social
Relationships/
Fidelity
When they reach the teenage years, children start to
care about how they look to others. They start forming
their own identity by experimenting with who they are.
If a teenager is unable to properly develop an identity
at this age, his or her role confusion will probably
continue on into adulthood.
Genital
Stage
6
2034
Intimacy
vs
Isolation
Love
During early adulthood most people fall in love, get
married and start building their own family. If a person
is unable to develop intimacy with others at this age
(whether through marriage or close friendships), they
will probably develop feelings of isolation.
Stage
7
3565
Generativity
vs
Stagnation
Work &
Parenthood/
Care
This is the longest period of a human's life. It is the
stage in which people are usually working and
contributing to society in some way and perhaps
raising their children. If a person does not find proper
ways to be productive during this period, they will
probably develop feelings of stagnation.
Stage
8
65+
Integrity
vs
Despair
Wisdom/
Reflection
On Life
As senior citizens, people tend to look back on their
lives and think about what they have or have not
accomplished. If a person has led a productive life,
they will develop a feeling of integrity. If not, they
might fall into despair.
Piaget’s Cognitive Development
“Stinkin’ Pigs Can’t Fly”
• Description
Sensorimotor
Age:
Preoperational
• Description
Age:
Concrete
Operational
• Description
Age:
Formal
Operational
Age:
• Description