Developmental Stages

Question 1

Freud’s Psychosexual Developmental Theory

Answer 1

Freud believed that personality developed through a series of childhood stages in which the pleasure-seeking energies of the id become focused on certain erogenous areas.
● This psychosexual energy was described as the driving force behind behavior
● Psyche includes: Id (a human’s basic, instinctual drives); Ego (attempts to
mediate between id and reality); and Superego (reflects the internalization of cultural rules usually learned from parents)

Question 2

Stages of Freud’s Psychosexual Developmental Theory

Answer 2

Oral Stage (Birth to 1 year), Anal Stage (1-3 years), Phallic Stage (3-6 years), Latent Stage (6-Puberty), Genital Stage (Puberty-Adult)

Question 3

Piaget’s Developmental Theory

Answer 3

Based on the premise that people actively construct higher levels of knowledge
● Motivation for cognitive development occurs when there is a state of ‘disequilibrium’ brought on by a discrepancy between the person’s current understanding of the world and reality.
● Equilibrium is then achieved through a combination of assimilation (incorporation of new information into existing schemas) and accommodation (modification of existing schemas), which both lead to adaptation.

Question 4

Stages of Piaget’s Developmental Theory

Answer 4

Sensorimotor stage (birth to 2 years, Object Permanence, Causality, Symbolic Thought), Preoperational Stage (2 to 7 years), Concrete Operational (7 to 11 years), Formal Operational Stage (11+years).

Question 5

Symbolic Function is part of what stage?

Answer 5

Preoperational Stage

Question 6

Egocentrism is part of what stage?

Answer 6

Preoperational Stage

Question 7

Erikson’s Development Theory

Answer 7

Based on Freud’s emphasis on unconscious motivation
• Greater emphasis on the ego
• Assumes that people are basically rational and that behavior is largely due to
ego functioning.
• Each of the 8 stages involves a psychosocial task that is to be mastered. If
not mastered, the person still continues to develop, but the ego is damaged and subsequent stages will be affected.

Question 8

Stages of Erikson’s Development Theory

Answer 8

1. Trust vs. Mistrust (0-18 months) 2. Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt (18 months to 3 years) 3. Initiative vs. Guilt (3 to years) 4. Industry vs. Inferiority (6-12 years)
2. Identity vs. Role Confusion (12-18 years) 6. Intimacy vs. Isolation (18-40 years) 7. Generativity vs. Stagnation (40-65 years) 8. Ego Integrity vs. Despair (65 years - Death)

Question 9

Mahler Stages of Development

Answer 9

According to Mahler, the Object Relations concepts refers to the way a child’s Ego becomes organized over the first 3 1/2 years of life. During this time the child struggles between the self and others. The theory focuses on the reciprocal relationship between a mother and her infant and its effect on the infant’s development of sense of self that occurs in three stages. Individuals are born with the drive to develop a sense of self and others along with the motivation to build interpersonal relationships.

Question 10

Mahler Stages of Development

Answer 10

1. Autistic Stage (new born 1 month): Infant is focused purely on his/herself; unresponsive to external stimuli.
2. Symbiotic Stage (1-5 months): infant begins to perceive the “need- satisfying object”. During this stage, the mother’s ego functions for the infant. Begins to understand that the mother as a separate being.

Question 11

Mahler Stages of Development

Answer 11

3. Separation-Individuation Stage (5-24 months+) During separation, the infant begins to develop an understanding of the boundaries of self and they start to see their mother as a separate individual. During individuation the child begins to develop a sense of self. Within separation-individuation there are four sub-stages.
   o Differentiation Substage (5-9 months): infant’s attention shifts from being inwardly focused to outwardly focused. (i.e. crawling)
   o PracticingSubstage(9-14months):infantcontinuestoseparate from caretaker, his/her autonomous ego functions become more apparent. (i.e. walking, playing)
   o Rapprochement Substage (14-24 months): infant begins to want to act independently. Moves away from mother but regularly comes back to ensure she is still there.
   o ObjectConstancySubstage(after24months):infant internalizes his/her mother and begins to understand that his/her mother still exists for him/her despite her absence

Question 12

primary interaction with the world is through the mouth. The mouth is vital for eating, and the infant derives pleasure from oral stimulation through gratifying activities such as tasting and sucking

Answer 12

Oral Stage: (birth-1 year)

Question 13

primary focus of the libido was on controlling bladder and bowel movements. Toilet training is a primary issue with children and parents. Too much pressure can result in an excessive need for order or cleanliness later in life, while too little pressure from parents can lead to messy or destructive behavior later in life.

Answer 13

Anal Stage: (1-3 years)

Question 14

the primary focus of the id’s energy is on the genitals. At this stage children become aware of their gender identity

Answer 14

Phallic Stage: (3-6 years)

Question 15

Sexual feelings are dormant. Children develop social skills, values and relationships with peers and adults outside of the family.

Answer 15

Latent Stage: (6-Puberty)

Question 16

onset of puberty causes the libido to become active once again. During this stage, people develop sexual interests in others. If development has been successful to this point, the individual will continue to develop into a well-balanced person.

Answer 16

Genital Stage: (Puberty-Adult)

Question 17

Object Permanence

Answer 17

allows the child to recognize that objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight. Ex: A child searches for a toy that is hidden under a blanket, even if the toy cannot be seen.

Question 18

Causality

Answer 18

is when the child to recognize that certain events cause other events. Ex: A child realizes that they can use their hand to pick up and move a toy to a different spot.

Question 19

Symbolic Thought

Answer 19

is when the child begins to use language (symbols) to think about actions before performing them. Ex: A child begins to understand that words represent an object such as a dog or cat.

Question 20

A key characteristic of this stage is
the symbolic function, which allows the child to learn through the use of mental
images, language and other symbols that represent objects that aren’t present. Children during this stage engage in symbolic play and can solve problems mentally.

Answer 20

Preoperational Stage: (2 to 7 years)

Question 21

Children are capable of performing mental operations using logic and abstract thinking. This allows children to classify and problem-solve in more sophisticated ways.

Answer 21

Concrete Operational Stage: (7 to 11 years)

Question 22

During this stage, the adolescent or young adult is able to think abstractly, hypothetically, and in a relativistic way. Adolescents can develop competing hypotheses about a problem and strategies for testing the hypotheses. There is an increase in “thinking about thinking” and some return to egocentrism during this stage.

Answer 22

Formal Operational Stage: (11+ years)

Question 23

Trust vs. Mistrust: (0-18 months)

Answer 23

The psychosocial task during this stage is to achieve a balance between trust and mistrust. Basic trust develops in the context of
the relationship between the infant and the primary caregiver and forms the foundation for all other stages of development. Failure to master the task can result in pervasive mistrust of others OR dependent, unthinking, rigid adulation of others.

Question 24

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt: (18 months to 3 years)

Answer 24

The toddler’s psychosocial task during this stage is to achieve a sense of independence over herown body in the context of relationships with primary caregivers. If a child experiences autonomy (in walking, exploring, etc.), she will gain confidence and pride, which then become ego strengths. If the child is overcontrolled or prohibited from exploring or becoming autonomous, she is likely to feel doubtful of her own abilities and excessive shame.

Question 25

Initiative vs. Guilt: (3-6 years)

Answer 25

The child’s psychosocial task during this stage is to set goals and carry out plans without infringing on the rights of others. Exerting too much control (or taking action that does infringe on the rights of others) results in disapproval from adults and subsequent feelings of guilt. Those feelings of guilt, then, prohibit the child (or adult) from effectively making plans or setting goals in the future.

Question 26

Industry vs. Inferiority: (6-12 years)

Answer 26

The child’s psychosocial task during this stage is to develop a sense of competence by beginning school and learning to do things on his own which instills a sense of pride and confidence. A child’s peer group also begins to be of greater significance in this stage as well and contributes to a child’s self-esteem. If adults do not support the child in his initiative, then a sense of inferiority is likely to develop where the child doubts his own abilities, making it more difficult to reach his potential.

Question 27

Identity vs. Role Confusion: (12-18 years)

Answer 27

The adolescent’s task is to learn the roles that s/he will occupy as an adult while developing a sense of personal identity. Peer relationships help them to explore various identities. Success in this stage leads to fidelity where the adolescent feels comfortable with others who have varying values, while remaining true to her own identity. If the adolescent fails to develop a sense of identity, than she may feel role confusion or a weakened sense of self.

Question 28

Intimacy vs. Isolation: (18-40 years)

Answer 28

The task during this stage is to begin forming intimate relationships with other people. An individual develops comfortable relationships with a sense of commitment and care. Failure to develop intimacy can lead to isolation, loneliness, and a feeling of exclusion.

Question 29

Generativity vs. Stagnation: (40-65 years)

Answer 29

The psychosocial task during this stage is to participate in activities that give the individual a sense of purpose such as a career, raising children, and creating positive changes that benefit others. If an adult does not feel this sense of purpose, he may then feel little connection to others and a sense of uselessness or rejection.

Question 30

Ego Integrity vs. Despair: (65-death)

Answer 30

The psychosocial task during this stage is for older adults to look back on life and feel a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. This wisdom allows for them to face the end of life and accept successes and failures, aging, and loss. Those who see their lives as unproductive or with many regrets may develop a sense of despair and guilt that can lead to depression and hopelessness.

Question 31

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Answer 31

A 2-year-old boy has control over personal and physical skills and a sense of independence.

Question 32

A 4-year-old boy says, “Mom must like grilled cheese because I like grilled cheese.”

Answer 32

Preoperational Stage

Question 33

Failure of this stage, after age 65, results in little connection to others and a sense of uselessness.

Answer 33

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Question 34

A 12-year-old boy can think hypothetically and use logic to
problem-solve.

Answer 34

Formal Operational Stage

Question 35

This stage forms the foundation for the rest of development by creating
a sense of security between the infant and caregiver.

Answer 35

Trust vs. Mistrust

Question 36

A 20-year-old is forming relationships with others, which is important at
this stage.

Answer 36

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Question 37

A peer group is important in this stage to develop a 12-year-old child’s self-esteem.

Answer 37

Industry vs. Inferiority

Question 38

A 3-year-old child thinks the sidewalk is mad at him because it made him fall.

Answer 38

Preoperational Stage

Question 39

A 50-year-old woman states, “I feel really stable in my career.”

Answer 39

Generativity vs. Stagnation

Question 40

A 13-year-old girl can think about abstract concepts.

Answer 40

Formal Operational Stage

Question 41

Failure of this stage, after 18 months, can result in wariness or a dependency on others.

Answer 41

Trust vs. Mistrust

Question 42

A 10-year-old child can look at multiple aspects of a problem in order to solve it.

Answer 42

Concrete Operational Stage

Question 43

Failure of this stage, after age 3, results in feeling hesitant of one’s own abilities.

Answer 43

Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

Question 44

A 10-month-old child recognizes that certain events cause other events.

Answer 44

Sensorimotor Stage

Question 45

Failure of this stage, after age 6, can result in feelings of self-blame and difficulties setting future goals.

Answer 45

Initiative vs. Guilt

Question 46

A 16 year old asks the question, “Who am I?”

Answer 46

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Question 47

A 7-year-old child can put sticks in order by height

Answer 47

Concrete Operational Stage

Question 48

A 75-year-old man states, “I feel accomplished with the life that I have lived.”

Answer 48

Ego Integrity vs. Despair

Question 49

Failure of this stage, after age 18, results in a weakened sense of self.

Answer 49

Identity vs. Role Confusion

Question 50

A 9-month-old child searches for a toy underneath a blanket.

Answer 50

Sensorimotor Stage

Question 51

The psychosocial task of a 5 year old during this stage is to set goals without infringing on others rights.

Answer 51

Initiative vs. Guilt

Question 52

Failure of this stage, after age 40, leads to feeling lonely and excluded.

Answer 52

Intimacy vs. Isolation

Question 53

A 6-year-old child feels a sense of pride and competence by beginning school.

Answer 53

Industry vs. Inferiority

Question 54

An 80-year-old woman views her life as unproductive or with many regrets resulting in feelings of hopelessness.

Answer 54

Ego Integrity vs. Despair