Stage Models: Cognitive, Personality, Moral

Question 1

Piaget’s Constructivist Theory of Cognitive Development…

Name the Stages.

Answer 1

1. Sensorimotor (birth - 2 y/o)
2. Preoperational (2-7 y/o)
3. Concrete Operational (7-12 y/o)
4. Formal Operational (12 y/o - adult)

Question 2

Sensorimotor Stage (Birth - 2 y/o)

Answer 2

Major accomplishments include the development of object permanence and representational (symbolic thought). Circular reactions (i.e., reproduction of actions) also occur during this stage.

Question 3

Preoperational Stage (2-7 y/o)

Answer 3

Often described in terms of limitations: transductive (precausal) reasoning; egocentrism; magical thinking; animism; lack of conservation due to centration and irreversibility.

Children engage in more sophisticated pretend play in this stage.

Question 4

Concrete Operational Stage (7-12 y/o)

Answer 4

Children use logical operations; development of conservation (involving decentration and reversibility).

Question 5

Formal Operational Stage (12 y/o - adulthood)

Answer 5

Children engage in hypothetical deductive reasoning and propositional thought.

Renewed egocentrism occurs at the beginning of the stage involving imaginary audience and personal fable.

Question 6

Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of Personality Development

Answer 6

1. Oral (birth - 1 y/o)
2. Anal (1-3 y/o)
3. Phallic (3-6 y/o)
4. Latency (6-12 y/o)
5. Genital (Adolescence)

Question 7

Oral Stage (birth - 1 y/o)

Answer 7

Erogenous Zone: Mouth

Focus: Sucking, feeding, exploring the world through the mouth

Potential Fixation: Issues with dependency, oral habits like nail biting or smoking if not properly weaned

Question 8

Phallic Stage (3-6 y/o)

Answer 8

Erogenous Zone: Genitals

Focus: Oedipus complex (boys desiring mother, fearing father) and Electra complex (girls desiring father, envying mother)

Potential Fixation: Sexual anxieties, difficulties with relationships

Question 9

Anal Stage (1-3 y/o)

Answer 9

Erogenous Zone: Anus

Focus: Toilet training, gaining control over bodily functions

Potential Fixation: Excessive orderliness or messiness depending on toilet training experiences

Question 10

Latency Stage (6-12 y/o)

Answer 10

Key aspect: A period of relative calm with no dominant erogenous zone

Focus: Sexual desires are repressed, focus on social and intellectual development

Question 11

Genital Stage (adolescence-adulthood)

Answer 11

Erogenous Zone: Genitals
Focus: Mature sexual relationships, establishing intimacy

Question 12

Erikson’s Psychosocial Stages of Personality Development

Answer 12

1. Trust v. Mistrust (birth - 1 y/o)
2. Autonomy v. Shame / Doubt (1-3 y/o)
3. Initiative v. Guilt (3-6 y/o)
4. Industry v. Inferiority (6-12 y/o)
5. Identity v. Role Confusion (adolesc.)
6. Intimacy v. Isolation (young adult.)
7. Generativity v. Stagnation (mid adult)
8. Integrity v. Despair (late adult.)

Question 13

Trust v. Mistrust (birth - 1 y/o)

Answer 13

The infant is uncertain about the world in which they live, and looks towards their primary caregiver for stability and consistency of care.

Virtue: Hope

Question 14

Autonomy v. Shame / Doubt (1-3 y/o)

Answer 14

Children at this stage are focused on developing a sense of personal control over physical skills and a sense of independence.

Virtue: Will

Question 15

Initiative v. Guilt (3-6 y/o)

Answer 15

Children assert themselves more frequently through directing play and other social interaction.

Virtue: Purpose

Question 16

Industry v. Inferiority (6-12 y/o)

Answer 16

Children start to compare themselves with their peers to gauge their abilities and worth.

Virtue: Competence

Question 17

Identity v. Role Confusion (adolesc.)

Answer 17

Adolescents search for a sense of self and personal identity, through an intense exploration of personal values, beliefs, and goals.

Virtue: Fidelity

Question 18

Intimacy v. Isolation (young adult.)

Answer 18

During this stage, the major conflict centers on forming intimate, loving relationships with other people.

Virtue: Love

Question 19

Generativity v. Stagnation (mid adult)

Answer 19

During this stage, individuals focus more on building our lives, primarily through our careers, families, and contributions to society.

Virtue: Care

Question 20

Integrity v. Despair (late adult.)

Answer 20

It is during this time that we contemplate our accomplishments and can develop integrity if we see ourselves as leading a successful life.

Virtue: Wisdom

Question 21

Kohlberg’s Levels of Moral Development

Answer 21

1. Preconventional Morality
2. Conventional Morality
3. Postconventional Morality

Question 22

Preconventional Morality

Answer 22

(a) punishment and obedience stage: the acceptability of a behavior depends on whether or not the behavior leads to PUNISHMENT, and

(b) instrumental hedonism stage: the acceptability of a behavior depends on whether or not it leads to REWARDS or satisfies the person’s NEEDS.

Question 23

Conventional Morality

Answer 23

(a) “good boy/good girl” stage: the acceptability of a behavior depends on whether or not it is SOCIALLY APPROVED of or liked by others, and

(b) law and order orientation stage: the acceptability of a behavior depends on whether or not it violates laws and rules that have been established by LEGITIMATE AUTHORITIES.

Question 24

Postconventional Morality

Answer 24

(a) the morality of contract, individual rights, and democratically accepted laws: the acceptability of a behavior is whether or not it’s consistent with democratically chosen laws, and

(b) the morality of individual principles of conscience: the acceptability of a behavior is whether or not it’s consistent with broad, universally applicable general principles (e.g., justice, fairness).