Developmental Theories
Theorists consider that emotional, social, cognitive and moral skills develop in stages.
- Psychosocial – Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development is most widely used. At each stage, children confront a crisis that requires the integration of personal needs and skills with social and cultural expectations. Each stage has two possible components, favorable and unfavorable.
- Psychosexual – Sigmund Freud considered sexual instincts to be significant in the development of personality. At each stage, regions of the body assume prominent psychologic significance as source of pleasure.
- Cognitive – Jean Piaget proposed four major stages of development for logical thinking. Each stage arises from and builds on the previous stage in an orderly fashion.
- Moral – Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of moral development is based on cognitive development and consists of three major levels, each containing two stages.
|
Stage |
Erikson |
Freud |
Piaget |
Kohlberg |
|
Infancy (birth to 1 year) |
Trust vs. mistrust |
Oral |
Sensorimotor (birth to 2 years) |
|
|
Toddlerhood (1-3 years old) |
Autonomy vs. same and doubt |
Anal |
Sensorimotor (1-2 years); preoperational (preconceptual) (2-4 years) |
Preconventional |
|
Preschool (3-6 years old) |
Initiative vs. guilt |
Phallic |
Preoperational (preconceptual) (2-4 years); preoperational (intuitive) (4-7 years) |
Preconventional |
|
School Age (6-12 years) |
Industry vs. inferiority |
Latency |
Concrete operations (7-11 years) |
Conventional |
|
Adolescence (12-18 years) |
Identity vs. role diffusion (confusion) |
Genital |
Formal operations (11-15 years) |
Postconventional |
Source: Lippincott’s Review Series
Daisy Jane Antipuesto RN MN
Currently a Nursing Local Board Examination Reviewer. Subjects handled are Pediatric, Obstetric and Psychiatric Nursing. Previous work experiences include: Clinical instructor/lecturer, clinical coordinator (Level II), caregiver instructor/lecturer, NC2 examination reviewer and staff/clinic nurse. Areas of specialization: Emergency room, Orthopedic Ward and Delivery Room. Also an IELTS passer.
