Erikson’s Advanced Applications
A middle-aged parent volunteers at a community shelter, but their adult children accuse them of neglecting family responsibilities. Which conflict within Erikson’s stage is this, and how might it resolve?
Generativity vs. Stagnation. The conflict might resolve through balancing external contributions with familial engagement.
A 3-year-old cries when a taller sibling takes the last cookie, saying, "They got more because they’re bigger!" What does this reveal about their cognitive development?
Preoperational stage. The child exhibits centration, focusing only on size, not quantity.
Kohlberg's theory of moral development suggests that nurses in this stage make decisions based on the ethical principles of justice and fairness, often questioning laws and authority.
What is the Postconventional level?
A caregiver consistently neglects an infant’s needs. What might occur in Erikson’s first stage?
Mistrust develops, potentially leading to difficulties forming secure relationships later.
A preschooler hospitalized for a week exhibits guilt about being sick. How should the nurse respond?
Reassure the child that illness isn’t their fault, addressing Initiative vs. Guilt.
A 70-year-old reports feelings of regret over missed opportunities. What intervention would promote resolution of this stage?
Integrity vs. Despair. Encourage life review and reframing accomplishments positively.
A 10-year-old explains the science behind a melting ice cube using logical reasoning. Identify the stage and the key cognitive advancement.
Concrete operational stage. Demonstrates logical reasoning and understanding of physical transformations.
In Kohlberg’s X level, nurses might follow hospital policies and protocols mainly to avoid punishment or gain rewards, rather than based on ethical reasoning.
What is the Preconventional level?
A 7-year-old excels in school but feels inadequate in sports. Predict the psychosocial outcome.
Industry vs. Inferiority. Success in one area may build confidence, but inferiority in another could impact self-esteem.
A school-age child repeatedly asks the nurse to explain every step of a procedure. What stage is this, and how should the nurse respond?
Concrete operational stage. Use simple, logical explanations to align with their cognitive abilities.
A college student switches majors three times and expresses frustration over finding their purpose. What could this suggest about their progression through Erikson’s stages?
Identity vs. Role Confusion. The student is struggling to achieve a cohesive sense of self.
A teenager argues that breaking a rule is acceptable if it prevents harm. How does this reflect Piaget's stages?
Formal operational stage. Reflects abstract thinking and moral reasoning.
Nurses in this stage of Kohlberg’s theory are motivated by the desire to gain approval from colleagues and supervisors, often prioritizing social harmony and adherence to professional norms.
What is Stage 3, the "Good Boy-Good Girl" or Interpersonal Concordance
A high schooler skips identity exploration and adopts their parents’ values unquestioningly. What are potential long-term effects?
Role confusion or identity foreclosure, leading to challenges in self-discovery.
An adolescent expresses frustration over their condition affecting social activities. How should the nurse address this within Erikson’s framework?
Identity vs. Role Confusion. Discuss coping strategies and maintain social connections.
A toddler’s parents over-control their every action, causing the child to withdraw and avoid making decisions. Which psychosocial stage is being disrupted, and what are the long-term implications?
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt. Long-term implications may include low self-esteem and poor decision-making skills.
A toddler interacts with a tablet by tapping random buttons without understanding cause-and-effect. How does this demonstrate the sensorimotor stage?
Early sensorimotor stage. The child is experimenting with actions and observing outcomes.
At this stage, nurses might prioritize following laws and hospital rules, as Kohlberg describes, in order to maintain social order and fulfill their roles as part of a team.
What is Stage 4, the "Law and Order" orientation?
A 5-year-old who constantly hears “no” may develop what issues in adulthood, and why?
Guilt and inhibited initiative, potentially resulting in fear of taking risks or making decisions.
A toddler resists taking medication but allows their caregiver to administer it. What stage and intervention strategies apply?
Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt. Provide choices to promote autonomy, like picking the flavor of medicine.
A 25-year-old avoids romantic relationships due to fear of vulnerability and dependence. How does this conflict with Erikson’s theory, and what strategies might help?
Intimacy vs. Isolation. Encourage building trust through gradual emotional sharing.
A 7-year-old distinguishes between fantasy and reality when discussing imaginary friends. What transition is occurring, and how might Piaget explain it?
Moving from preoperational to concrete operational stage. Increased logical reasoning leads to better reality differentiation.
In this level of Kohlberg’s theory, nurses make moral decisions based on the consideration of universal principles like autonomy, beneficence, and justice, often in complex ethical dilemmas.
What is the Postconventional level?
An adolescent masters abstract thought but struggles with generativity in adulthood. How are these stages related?
Formal operational stage (abstract thinking) supports problem-solving in generativity. Failure may reflect unresolved earlier conflicts.
A middle-aged patient recovering from a stroke worries about contributing to their family. What stage does this reflect, and how can the nurse help?
Generativity vs. Stagnation. Encourage engagement in meaningful activities within their abilities.