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Psychosocial and Cognitive Development Theories

This document summarizes theories of psychosocial and cognitive development from Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget, and Lawrence Kohlberg. It outlines their stages of development, from infancy through adulthood, focusing on the development of identity, morality, trust, autonomy and more. It also discusses related concepts like scaffolding, zone of proximal development, and cognitive learning approaches using technology.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
20 views3 pages

Psychosocial and Cognitive Development Theories

This document summarizes theories of psychosocial and cognitive development from Erik Erikson, Jean Piaget, and Lawrence Kohlberg. It outlines their stages of development, from infancy through adulthood, focusing on the development of identity, morality, trust, autonomy and more. It also discusses related concepts like scaffolding, zone of proximal development, and cognitive learning approaches using technology.

Uploaded by

Amber Mattison
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Amber Mattison

Chapter 2: Theories of Psychosocial and Cognitive Development


Erik Erikson-
o Described psychological growth from infancy through old age. Instructional implications
for every level of education from preschool through adult education can be drawn out.
o Theory portrays people as playing an active role in their own psychological development
through their attempts understand, organize, and integrate their everyday experiences.
o Highlights important role that cultural goals, aspirations, expectations, requirements, and
opportunities play in personal growth.

 Epigenetic Principle- In fetal development, certain organs of the body appear at certain
specific times and eventually “combine” to form a child.
 Psychosocial Crisis- Personality development occurs as one successfully resolves a series
of turning points.
Stages of Psychosocial Development
o Trust vs. Mistrust (Birth to One year)- Infants learn to trust their world. Parents
consistency, continuity, and sameness of experience satisfies their infants basic needs.
This will permit children to think of their world as safe and dependable. Children whose
care is inadequate, inconsistent, or negative will approach the world with fear and
suspicion.
o Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (Two to Three years)- Toddlers who are permitted and
encouraged to do what they are capable of doing at their own pace and in their own way
will develop sense of autonomy. If parents and teachers are impatient or shame young
children for unacceptable behavior, children will develop feelings of self-doubt.
o Initiative vs. Guilt (Four to Five years)- If children are given freedom to explore and
experiment and teachers/parents answer questions, tendencies towards initiative will be
encouraged. If children are restricted and made to feel like their questions and activities
have no point or they are a nuisance, they will feel guilty about acting on their own.
o Industry vs. Inferiority (Six to Eleven years)- If children are encouraged to make and do
things well, helped to persevere, allowed to finish tasks, and praised for trying, they
develop industry. If the children’s efforts are unsuccessful or they are treated as
bothersome, feeling of inferiority arise.
o Identity vs. Role Confusion (Twelve to Eighteen years)- Role confusion: having no clear
conception of appropriate types of behavior that others will react to favorably.
o Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood)
o Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Age)
o Integrity vs. Despair (Old Age)

 Identity Statuses- A style of approach that adolescents adopt to deal with such identity-
related issues as career goal, gender-role orientation, and religious beliefs.
 Four Identity Statuses:
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o Identity diffusion
o Moratorium
o Foreclosure
o Identity achievement
 Psychosocial Moratorium- A period of identity development marked by a delay of
commitment, ideally a time of adventure and exploration having a positive, or at least
neutral, impact on the individual and society.
Piaget: Cognitive Development
o Organization- The tendency to systematize and combine processes into coherent
general systems.
o Schemes- Children form organized generalizable patterns of behavior or thought.
These become the basis for understanding and adapting to the world in which they
live.
o Adaptation- The tendency to adjust to the environment.

Stages of Cognitive Development


o Sensorimotor Stage (Infants and Toddlers)- Understand world through their senses.
o Preoperational Stage (Preschool and Primary Grades)- Use schemas and models.
o Concrete Operational Stage (Elementary to Early Middle School)
o Formal Operational Stage (Middle School, High School, And Beyond)

 Adolescent Egocentrism- The introspective, inward turning of a high school students


newly developed powers of thought, with a tendency to project one’s self-analysis onto
others.
 Spontaneous Concepts- A term coined by Lev Vygotsky to denote the facts, concepts,
and rules that young children acquire as a natural consequence of engaging everyday
activities.
 Scientific Concepts- A term coined by Lev Vygotsky to denote such psychological tools
as language, formulas, rules, and symbols that are learned mostly with the aid of formal
instruction.
 Empirical Learning- The use of noticeable characteristics of objects and events to form
spontaneous concepts, a form of learning typical of young children.
 Theoretical Learning- Learning how to use psychological tools across a range of settings
and problem types to acquire new knowledge and skills.
 Zone of Proximal Development- Lev Vygotsky’s term for the difference between what a
child can do on their own and what can be accomplished by some assistance.
 Scaffolding- Supporting learning during its early phases through such techniques as
demonstrating how tasks should be accomplished, giving hints to the correct solution to a
problem or answer to a question, and providing leading questions. As students become
more capable of working independently, these supports are withdrawn.
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 Mark Tappan- Four component model that teachers can use to optimize the effects of
their scaffolding efforts and help students move through their ZPD
1. Model desired academic behaviors
2. Create a dialogue with the student
3. Practice
4. Confirmation

 Microworlds- A computer scenario intended to foster cognitive development and


overcome misconceptions by allowing students the chance to explore relationships
among variables or concepts and build personal models of how things work.
 Microcomputer-based Laboratories- A microcomputer with attached sensors and probes
that can quickly represent such data as temperature or speed in multiple ways in order to
help students explore concepts, test hypothesis, and repair scientific misconceptions.
 Multi-user Virtual Environments (MUVE)- Online virtual worlds in which several people
work together to solve various types of problems.
 Telementoring- The use of networking technologies by experts, mentors, instructors, and
peers to demonstrate ideas, pose questions, offer insights, and provide relevant
information that can help learners build new knowledge and effectively participate in a
learning community.
 Morality of Constraint (Moral Reasoning)- Piaget’s term for the moral thinking of
children to age ten or so, n which they hold sacred rules that permit no exceptions and
make no allowance for intentions.
 Morality of Cooperation (Moral Relativism)- Piaget’s term for the moral thinking of
children age eleven or older, based on the flexible rules and considerations of intent.
Kohlberg’s Six Stages of Moral Reasoning-
o Stage 1- Punishment-obedience orientation
o Stage 2- Instrumental relativist orientation
o Stage 3- Good boy-nice girl orientation
o Stage 4- Law-and-order orientation
o Stage 5- Social contract orientation
o Stage 6- Universal ethical principal orientation

Common questions

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The psychosocial moratorium provides a crucial context for identity exploration during adolescence by allowing individuals a period of exploration and adventure without the necessity of immediate commitment to roles and responsibilities. This phase enables adolescents to experiment with various identities, career paths, and beliefs within a relatively safe environment. This exploration is vital for achieving identity achievement, as it helps adolescents develop a stable sense of self that integrates various aspects of their personal, social, and cultural backgrounds .

According to Vygotsky, spontaneous concepts arise naturally from everyday experiences, while scientific concepts are acquired through formal education. Spontaneous concepts form the basis of empirical learning, where children use noticeable characteristics of objects and events. In contrast, scientific concepts are linked to theoretical learning, where individuals apply psychological tools like symbols and formulas in a variety of contexts to construct new knowledge. These two types of concepts and learning complement each other and contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the world .

Piaget’s stages of cognitive development illustrate the progression of a child's cognitive abilities in a sequential manner, from sensorimotor, where infants understand the world through their senses, to preoperational, where preschoolers use schemas and models. In the concrete operational stage, children develop logical thinking about concrete objects, and in the formal operational stage, adolescents start abstract thinking. Each stage represents qualitative differences in thinking and builds on skills and understanding gained in the previous stages .

Scaffolding plays a crucial role in enhancing students' learning within their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) by providing the necessary temporary support to accomplish tasks just beyond their current capabilities. Initially, instructors model desired behaviors and strategies, creating dialogues and encouraging practice, which helps students internalize new skills. As learners become more proficient, these supports are gradually withdrawn, promoting independent problem-solving. This instructional approach effectively bridges the gap between actual and potential developmental levels, facilitating deeper understanding .

Piaget's theory of moral development suggests a progression from a 'morality of constraint' in young children, who see rules as fixed, to a 'morality of cooperation' in older children, who consider intentions and flexibility in rules. In contrast, Kohlberg expands on this dual-stage framework with six stages reflecting moral reasoning's evolution from a focus on obedience and avoiding punishment to advanced ethical principles considering justice and human rights. Kohlberg includes social influences and perspectives, offering a more detailed continuum of moral development .

Erikson's concept of the psychosocial crisis involves resolving a series of turning points during personality development, which plays a crucial role in shaping psychological growth from infancy through old age. Successful resolution at each stage leads to virtues and skills beneficial for future stages. In educational practices, this theory suggests that instructors tailor their teaching strategies to accommodate the psychosocial needs associated with each stage. For example, encouraging autonomy in toddlers or fostering industry in school-aged children aligns with Erikson's stages of development .

Erikson's theory implies that educational settings should attend to the psychosocial needs associated with each developmental stage. For young children, this involves fostering a sense of trust, autonomy, and initiative through supportive and responsive interactions. In middle childhood, educational practices should promote industry by encouraging children to complete tasks and achieve success. Adolescents benefit from opportunities to explore identities and build a consistent sense of self. Tailoring educational environments to support these developmental needs can enhance personal growth and learning outcomes .

Multi-user virtual environments (MUVEs) significantly impact collaborative learning by providing a shared space where learners from different geographical locations can interact in real-time to solve problems. These environments encourage teamwork, communication, and the exchange of ideas, which are essential skills in the modern educational landscape. MUVEs enable learners to take on roles and scenarios that might be impossible in real life, promoting creative problem-solving and enhancing engagement and motivation through immersive experiences .

Vygotsky's concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) impacts educational techniques by emphasizing the potential learners' cognitive development when supported by more knowledgeable others. ZPD highlights tasks learners can achieve with guidance but not yet independently. This underpins instructional strategies like scaffolding, where teachers provide initial support such as modeling, questioning, and offering hints, which they gradually remove as students gain competence. This method facilitates learning and encourages independence .

Microworlds and microcomputer-based laboratories are significant in modern educational environments as they provide interactive and immersive learning experiences that help students explore concepts deeply and correct misconceptions. Microworlds allow learners to manipulate variables and observe relationships within a simulated environment, fostering cognitive development. Microcomputer-based laboratories enhance scientific understanding by enabling students to conduct experiments and visualize data, thus supporting inquiry-based learning and improving engagement with complex phenomena .

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