Psychosocial Theories

Theory

An explanation of a phenomenon or phenomena through a set of interrelated constructs.

Model

Represents how a phenomenon happens, providing structure and organization but not explaining why.

Erikson's Psychosocial Theory

Argues that developmental change occurs through eight sequential stages across the lifespan, involving conflicts that lead to healthy or unhealthy development.

Trust vs Mistrust

Stage 1 conflict in Erikson's theory, where reliable care leads to trust, while insufficient care leads to mistrust.

Autonomy vs Shame and Doubt

Stage 2 conflict in Erikson's theory, where developing independence fosters autonomy, and lack of independence leads to shame and doubt.

Initiative vs Guilt

Stage 3 conflict in Erikson's theory, where feeling capable and leading others builds initiative, while self-doubt leads to guilt.

Industry vs Inferiority

Stage 4 conflict in Erikson's theory, characterized by competence building versus feelings of doubt in one’s abilities.

Identity vs Confusion

Stage 5 conflict in Erikson's theory during adolescence, where a strong sense of self develops versus confusion and insecurity.

Intimacy vs Isolation

Stage 6 conflict in Erikson's theory, focusing on forming loving relationships versus experiencing loneliness.

Generativity vs Stagnation

Stage 7 conflict in Erikson's theory during middle adulthood, where useful contributions lead to generativity, and shallow involvement leads to stagnation.

Integrity vs Despair

Stage 8 conflict in Erikson's theory, where wisdom and satisfaction lead to integrity, and regret leads to despair.

Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development

Describes the fixed sequence of cognitive development stages from birth to adolescence, emphasizing changes in reasoning and knowledge quality.

Assimilation

The process of understanding new experiences in terms of existing cognitive schemas.

Accommodation

The modification of existing schemas to incorporate new experiences that do not fit into prior understanding.

Sensorimotor Stage

Piaget's first stage (0-2 years) where knowledge is built through interaction with the environment through sensory and motor experiences.

Preoperational Stage

Piaget's second stage (2-7 years), characterized by symbolic thinking and egocentrism, but limitations in logical reasoning.

Centration

The tendency during preoperational stage to focus on one aspect of a situation while ignoring others.

Conservation

The understanding that changing the appearance of an object does not change its other properties, developed during the concrete operational stage.

Concrete Operational Stage

Piaget's third stage (7-12 years) where logical operations are applied to concrete problems, allowing decentering.

Formal Operational Stage

Piaget's final stage (12 years and beyond), marked by the ability to think abstractly and employ deductive reasoning.