This tutorial is intended for ARC students enrolled in my online Psyc 300 class at American River College and corresponds with Module C Lesson 1.

1. Developmental Theories
Module C Lesson 1 Tutorial
Created by: Professor Hokerson
American River College
Last Updated: Fall 2015

2. Using this Tutorial
 Use the navigation buttons at the bottom of
the screen.
 Click on hyperlinks when prompted.
 Have fun and learn!

3. Table of Contents (TOC)
 Objectives
◦ Module Objectives #11, 12, 15, and 18
 Action Items
 Cognitive Development
 Emotional Development
 Moral Reasoning
 Conclusions

4. MODULE C OBJECTIVES
By the end of this tutorial you will be able to…
#11 - Describe cognitive development according to Jean Piaget and the qualitative
differences that are achieved during each stage.
# 12 - Explain the criticisms of Jean Piaget’s theory.
# 15 – Summarize psychosocial development according to Erik Erikson and the
psychosocial conflicts that are achieved during each stage.
#18 - Contrast Lawrence Kohlberg , Carol Gilligan, and John Haidt’s theories of moral
reasoning.

5. ACTION ITEMS

6. Introduction to Cognition
 There are many cognitive theories presented in Chapter 9
but this tutorial will cover the following theorists:
◦ Jean Piaget
◦ Lawrence Kohlberg
◦ Carol Gilligan
 Individually each contributes a unique perspective on
understanding why we think the way we do.
 Together they provide a strong foundation for
understanding cognitive development throughout the
lifespan.

7. Cognitive Development
(Piaget) Read: Chapter 9 pages 368 – 372
 Activity: Complete section A of the Developmental
Theories Worksheet.
 Then check your answers against the table on page 372.
 Tips: Here are some basic conclusions about
Piaget’s theory.
 He studied qualitative differences in how we think.
 By adolescence we have all of the cognitive structures necessary.
 We progress through each stage.
 With experience we get better at thinking!

8. Cognitive Development
(continued)
 Summary: Here are simple summaries of Piaget’s stages.
 Sensorimotor– the infant is exploring his/her environment through
his senses. What is not directly in front of him/her is considered
gone.
 The pre-operational child is able to represent his world even when
it is not right in front of him/her. It is difficult if not impossible for
this child to think outside of his own experiences. He/she lacks
logical thought.
 The concrete operational child has mastered the law of
conservation and can begin to think outside of him/herself. He/she
is thinking more and more logically but still lacks the ability to think
in abstract terms.
 The formal operational individual has now developed the ability to
think beyond him/herself, to abstract, and think hypothetically.

9. Cognitive Development
(Piaget)
 Question: If cognition develops with age, what
causes those qualitative changes?
 Hint: Even Piaget acknowledges the
environmental factors that influence cognitive
development. But it’s Vygotsky’s theory that
addresses how culture influences its development!
 Read: Criticism 2 in Chapter 9, page 373
 Question: What can parents and teachers do to
encourage cognitive development?

10. Moral Reasoning
 Read: The Development of Moral Reasoning, Chapter
9 pages 381 - 383
 Question: How do Kohlberg and Gilligan’s theories
differ?
 Summary: Here are a couple of conclusions you
should make about the study of moral reasoning:
 Kohlberg is more concerned at the thought processes that
bring us to make moral decisions, what he calls the process
of moral reasoning.
 Although his is a stage theory not everybody will make it
through all of Kohlberg’s stages.

11. Haidt’s Moral Principles
 Think! Another alternative to Kohlberg and Gilligan’s theories is
this belief that we all share the same fundamental moral values, but
that our moral differences can be explained by which moral values
are more important to us!
 Read: Click on this link to read more about John Haidt’s 5
fundamental moral principles.
 Morality Quiz: What are your moral values? Click on this link and
complete the “Moral Foundations Questionnaire” to find out. You
will need to register first.
 Activity: Complete Part B of the Developmental Theories
Worksheet.
Do you want to learn more about Haidt and how he has
applied his theory of morality? Click here to watch his TED
talk!

12. Social Development (Erikson)
 Read: Social
Development and
Identity Formation in
Chapter 9 pages 378 –
381.
 Activity: Complete
Part C of the
Developmental
Theories Worksheet.
 Simulation: Here is a
great summary of
Erikson’s stages of
development with a
quiz at the end!

13. Stage Progression
 Erikson’s theory focuses on the gradual
unfolding changes that occur throughout
the lifespan.
◦ During each stage of life every person faces
a psychosocial conflict.
 If that task is not positively resolved during this
stage, he/she will continue to move on however
negative resolve sets up for difficulties in resolving
future conflicts.

14. The Importance of Identity
According to Erik Erikson…
 The most significant
conflict is faced during
adolescence.
 Every conflict before
has led to this one!
 Every conflict after it is
dependent upon its
resolution!

15. Adolescence Revisited
 Hint! There are many factors that influence resolution
of this identity conflict during adolescence!
 Read: “Factors Affecting the Timing of Puberty” and
“Effects of Early versus Late Maturation” In Chapter 9
pages 385 – 386.
 Read: “The Adolescent Brain: A Work in Progress” in
Chapter 9 pages 376– 377.
◦ Looking for more about the teenage brain? PBS has an entire
website dedicated to research on the adolescent brain – click
here to read more!

16. Bringing It All Together
 There is much
research that helps to
explain what makes us
who we are.
 Simulation: Here is a
great all-in-one
summary of the
physical, cognitive,
and emotional
changes that from pre-
natal development
throughout the
lifespan!

17. Conclusions
 There are many different theories of research, each
offering a unique glance it to development!
◦ Piaget studied the qualitative differences in how we think as we age.
◦ Vygotsky focused on how our environments must create
opportunities for this growth, which vary for each individual.
◦ Kohlberg attempted to explain the processes that drive moral
thought, but his research methods may have been too narrow.
◦ Erikson studied social development throughout the lifespan and
emphasized the importance of forming identity.
 Although there may be contradictions together they
help to explain what makes us who we are!

18. MODULE C OBJECTIVES
By the end of this tutorial you should now be able to…
#11 - Describe cognitive development according to Jean Piaget and the qualitative
differences that are achieved during each stage.
# 12 - Explain the criticisms of Jean Piaget’s theory.
# 15 – Summarize psychosocial development according to Erik Erikson and the
psychosocial conflicts that are achieved during each stage.
#18 - Contrast Lawrence Kohlberg , Carol Gilligan, and John Haidt’s theories of moral
reasoning.