Developmental Theories and Milestones

Vocabulary-style flashcards defining key developmental, cognitive, psychosocial, and moral theories as outlined in the lecture transcript.

Piaget: Sensorimotor Stage

Occurring from $0-12$ months, infants learn about the world through their five senses and physical activity, eventually developing object permanence.

Erickson: Trust vs. Mistrust

A stage for infants ($0-12$ months) to develop a sense of trust in themselves, in other people, and in the world.

Freud: Oral Stage

A developmental phase for infants characterized by oral gratification, including sucking and biting.

Mahler: Normal Autistic Phase

The first phase of separation-individuation occurring from birth to $4$ weeks.

Mahler: Normal Symbiotic Phase

The second phase of separation-individuation occurring from $4$ weeks to $5$ months.

Bowlby’s Attachment Theory

A four-stage theory of relationship development: 1. Pre-Attachment, 2. Attachment in the making, 3. Clear cut attachments, and 4. Reciprocal relationships.

Ainsworth Attachment Theory: Strange Situation

An experiment identifying three attachment styles in children: Secure, Ambivalent, and Avoidant.

Piaget: Preoperational Stage

For toddlers ($12$ months-$3$ years), development involves understanding through symbolic words and images without logical thinking.

Egocentrism

The inability to perceive reality from other’s points of view, characteristic of the Preoperational Stage.

Erickson: Autonomy vs. Shame and Doubt

The toddler stage where children develop a sense of independence and self-control.

Vygotsky: Zone of proximal development

The difference between what a child can do independently compared to what they can accomplish with effective guidance.

Vygotsky: Scaffolding

A method of teaching or guidance that facilitates learning within a child's zone of proximal development.

Erickson: Initiative vs. Guilt

The preschool stage ($3$ years-$5$ years) where children assert power and control, balancing spontaneity and restraint.

Skinner’s Social Learning Theory

Based on operant conditioning, behavior that is reinforced is likely repeated, while punished behavior is less likely to happen.

Bandura’s Social Learning Theory

The theory that children learn by observation and modeling, illustrated by the Bobo doll experiment.

Piaget: Concrete Operational Stage

For school-age children ($5-12$ years), logic and empathy develop, allowing an understanding of patterns, reversibility, and cause-effect.

Erickson: Industry vs. Inferiority

The stage where school-age children develop self-confidence and competence through successful experiences in school and activities.

Mahler: Forth sub-phase (Object Constancy)

Occurring from $24$ to $36$ months, the final sub-phase of separation-individuation.

Bronfenbrenner Ecological System Theory

Theory that environmental and societal influences—Microsystem, Mesosystem, Exosystem, and Macrosystem—shape development.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

A pyramid of motivation: physiological $\rightarrow$ safety $\rightarrow$ love $\rightarrow$ self-esteem $\rightarrow$ self-actualization.

Piaget: Formal Operational Stage

For adolescents ($12-18$ years), characterized by abstract thinking, hypothetical logic, deductive reasoning, and classification.

Erickson: Identity vs. Role Confusion

The adolescent stage focused on developing a sense of self and identity through exploration.

Csikszentmihalyi: Flow

A state of being fully engaged in an enjoyable activity, meeting $8$ criteria such as absorption, clear goals, and loss of time awareness.

Kohlberg: Moral Reasoning Theory

Includes Level 1 (Pre-conventional), Level 2 (Conventional), and Level 3 (Post-conventional) with $6$ specific stages.

Prugh theory of stress vulnerability

Proposes that cheerful hospital environments reduce adaptation difficulties; associated with the development of play therapy.

Locke: Blank Slate

The belief that children are born with an empty mind, and learning is received through experience and reasoning.

Gilligan: Moral Reasoning Theory

Argues for two orientations: Male - Justice orientation and Female - Responsibility orientation.

Howard Gardner: Intellectual Development

The theory that humans possess $9$ different intelligences, including Verbal/Linguistic, Musical/Rhythmic, and Existential.

Gesell: Normative approach

The study of typical 'norms' and developmental milestones based on $10$ major 'Growth Gradients' set by heredity.

Montessori: Prepared environment

The adult's role is to construct a learning environment that allows the child's absorbent mind to learn through experience.

Parten: Parallel Play

A stage of play ($2.5-3$ years) where children play next to each other but do not share.

Axline’s theory on Play therapy

Comprised of $8$ principles, including developing a warm relationship, accepting the child, and letting the child lead.