Kohlberg's Theory
How many levels and stages are there in Kohlberg’s theory of moral development?
3 levels, each having 2 stages
What are the four stages of Piaget’s cognitive development theory, in order?
Sensorimotor Stage (Birth – 2 years)
Preoperational Stage (2 – 7 years)
Concrete Operational Stage (7 – 11 years)
Formal Operational Stage (12 years and up)
What is the central conflict in the first stage (infancy)?
Trust vs. Mistrust
What is the primary purpose of formative evaluation in education?
To monitor student learning and provide ongoing feedback during education.
What is the difference between a goal and an objective in an educational or training context?
A goal is a broad, general statement of what you want to achieve. An objective is a specific, measurable, and observable step that leads toward achieving the goal.
Name the three main levels of moral development in Kohlberg's theory
Pre-conventional Level
Conventional Level
Post-conventional Level
During which stage do children begin to use symbolic thought and engage in pretend play?
Pre-Operational Stage (2-7 years of age)
At what age does the "Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt" stage typically occur?
~18 months to 3 years
What is the primary purpose of summative evaluation in education?
To evaluate student learning at the end of instruction.
Why are objectives important when designing a lesson or program?
guide instructions, help measure learning outcomes, creates steps towards goal
Why might someone at Stage 4 (Law and Order) disapprove of civil disobedience?
Someone at Stage 4 would likely disapprove of civil disobedience because they see breaking laws—even for a good cause—as a threat to social order and stability.
What does "object permanence" mean, and when is it usually developed?
Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched.
How does “Initiative vs. Guilt” differ from “Industry vs. Inferiority”?
Initiative is about starting activities (creativity, decision-making).
Industry is about finishing them successfully (skills, achievement).
A teacher introduces a new reading comprehension strategy to a group of 5th-grade students. After two weeks, the teacher gives students a short quiz and collects their written reflections to see how well they are using the strategy. Based on the results, the teacher decides to reteach part of the strategy to certain students. Is this an example of a formative or summative evaluation?
formative evaluation
A teacher says: "I want my students to become confident public speakers." Is this a goal or an objective? Why?
Goal; it is broad and general, no clear criteria, no measurable behavior
At what stage might someone say, “I don’t steal because I don’t want to get punished”?
Pre-Conventional, Stage 1: Obedience and Punishment Orientation
What is egocentrism, and in which stage is it most prominent?
Egocentrism refers to a child's difficulty in seeing things from another person's perspective.
Describe the virtue gained from successfully resolving the "Trust vs. Mistrust" stage.
Hope; If infants consistently have their basic needs met, they learn that the world is a safe place and develop hope — the belief that future needs will be met.
A school implements a new math tutoring program for struggling students. At the end of the semester, researchers compare the final exam scores of students who participated in the program with those who didn’t, to determine if the program made a significant impact. Is this an example of a formative or summative evaluation?
summative evaluation
"By the end of the unit, students will be able to deliver a 5-minute persuasive speech using at least three rhetorical techniques." Is this a goal or an objective?
objective; measurable, specific, observable behavior
In what way can Kohlberg’s theory be applied in educational or parenting practices?
Teachers can create age-appropriate moral dilemmas to encourage students to think at higher moral levels.
Why can't children in the preoperational stage understand conservation tasks?
They focus on one aspect of a situation at a time (centration) and lack the ability to mentally reverse actions (irreversibility).
How could a therapist apply Erikson’s theory in counseling an adult facing a midlife crisis?
Address feelings of stagnation (boredom, lack of purpose) by helping set new goals or reignite passions.
Why might relying solely on summative assessments be problematic for student learning?
Summative assessments happen after learning is completed, they don’t provide opportunities for students to improve before being evaluated.
Why might setting only goals (without objectives) lead to poor instructional planning?
Goals can be too vague, they lack clarity, and they don't help students know exactly what is expected.