Psychology Development Theories: Piaget, Erikson, Vygotsky & More

Psychosexual Stages of Development

A child in the oral stage derives pleasure from activities like sucking and chewing.

Psychosocial Stages of Development (Erik Erikson)

A teenager experiences an identity crisis, trying to figure out who they are

Cognitive Development Theory (Jean Piaget)

A child in the preoperational stage might struggle with the concept of conservation (e.g., understanding that the amount of water remains the same when poured into a differently shaped container).

Sociocultural Theory (Lev Vygotsky)

A child learns language skills through interactions with more knowledgeable others, such as parents or teachers.

Ecological Systems Theory (Urie Bronfenbrenner)

A child's development is influenced by multiple environments, such as family, school, and community.

Attachment Theory (John Bowlby)

A securely attached child feels comfortable exploring their environment, knowing they have a safe base to return to in their caregiver.

Moral Development Theory (Lawrence Kohlberg)

A child in the conventional stage follows rules and laws because they believe it's important to maintain social order.

Behaviorism (Classical Conditioning) (Ivan Pavlov)

A dog salivates at the sound of a bell because it has been conditioned to associate the bell with food.

Behaviorism: Operant conditioning (B.F. Skinner)

A student receives praise for completing their homework, increasing the likelihood they will complete it again.

Social Learning Theory (Albert Bandura)

A child learns aggressive behaviors by observing and imitating a model on television.