Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages
What is the psychosocial crisis of early childhood (ages 1–3)?
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
What developmental milestone is achieved in the sensorimotor stage?
Object permanence
What is scaffolding?
Support that helps a learner perform a task they cannot do alone
A child cries when their caregiver leaves but is comforted when they return. Which Erikson stage is this, and what’s the outcome?
Trust vs. Mistrust; the child is developing trust
What might shame look like in an adult who didn't develop autonomy in early childhood?
Fear of taking initiative or making independent decisions
What does successful resolution of “initiative vs. guilt” look like in a 4- to 6-year-old?
The child takes initiative in activities and feels confident making choices
What are two characteristics of the preoperational stage?
Egocentrism and symbolic play
What is the Zone of Proximal Development?
The gap between what a child can do independently and what they can do with help
A child insists on dressing themselves, even if their clothes are mismatched. What Erikson stage is this?
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt
What are some consequences of unresolved role confusion in adolescence?
Identity crisis, difficulty making commitments, instability in values or goals
What is the central conflict of adolescence, and what does successful resolution lead to?
Identity vs. Role Confusion; a stable sense of self
A child sorts blocks by size and color. What Piagetian stage are they in?
Concrete operational
A child says, “It’s wrong to steal because you’ll get punished.” What stage is this?
Kohlberg’s preconventional stage
A 12-year-old who enjoys strategy games and likes categorizing things is likely in what Piaget stage?
Concrete operational
What does stagnation look like in midlife?
Feeling disconnected, lacking purpose, or being self-absorbed
Name a life task associated with “intimacy vs. isolation” and explain its importance.
Forming committed relationships; failure may lead to emotional isolation
What is the major cognitive advance in the formal operational stage?
Abstract and hypothetical thinking
A student argues that laws are important but should be challenged if unjust. What Kohlberg stage is this?
Post-conventional
You help a student solve a math problem they couldn’t do alone. What concept are you applying?
Zone of Proximal Development (Vygotsky)
How might someone display inferiority if they didn’t develop industry as a child?
Low self-esteem, avoiding challenges, believing they’re not capable
In Erikson’s final stage, what is “ego integrity” and what happens if someone doesn't achieve it?
Acceptance of one’s life; failure leads to despair and regret
Describe a real-life example of a 10-year-old demonstrating concrete operational thinking.
Understanding conservation (e.g., same amount of water in different shaped glasses)
How does Vygotsky’s view of learning differ from Piaget’s?
Vygotsky emphasizes social interaction and culture; Piaget emphasizes individual exploration
A teen volunteers to fight injustice even if it means breaking a rule. What two theories apply here and how?
Kohlberg’s post-conventional morality and Erikson’s identity development
A person nearing the end of life feels despair. What might this indicate, and what psychosocial stage is this?
They feel their life lacks meaning; stage is ego integrity vs. despair