Questions to Consider What are some of the different theories of developmental psychology? What are some of the developmental milestones in: prenatal? childhood? adolescence? adulthood?

Major Theories in Developmental  Piaget’s (1963) four stage cognitive developmental theory. Erikson’s (1963) eight stage theory of psychosocial development. Kohlberg’s (1969) three stage theory of moral development.

Piaget’s (1963) Cognitive Developmental Theory Premise of Piaget’s theory: physical development of the CNS and brain leads to: cognitive and intellectual development in humans. Four stages of cognitive development: sensori-motor stage (birth to 2 years). pre-operational stage (2 to 7 years). concrete operational stage (7 to 11 yrs.) formal operational stage (11 yrs. & up).

Piaget’s (1963) Theory Sensori-motor stage -- birth to age 2: Description of Stage: Experiencing the world through their senses and actions (looking, hearing, touching, mouthing, & grasping.) Cognitive difficulty—lack of understanding object permanence: an object an infant no longer sees becomes, literally, “out of sight, out of mind” Developmental Phenomena: Object Permanence & Stranger Anxiety

Object Permanence Video Clip

Piaget’s (1963) Theory (cont’d.) Pre-operational stage -- ages 2 to 7: Description of Stage: operational = logic Initial stages of using language & applying abstract thought Not good at reasoning or going through things solely in their heads.

Piaget’s Theory (cont.) Pre-operational Stage (cont.) Cognitive developmental “struggles” during this stage: Egocentrism Animism –personification (trees have feelings) Artificialism –nature as human-controlled (mtns=someone piled dirt) Collective monologues Juice box example

Piaget’s Theory (cont.) conservation objects or things remain the same, despite changes in appearance pre-operational children CANNOT conserve Developmental Phenomena Pretend Play & Egocentrism Conservation Video Clip

Piaget’s (1963) Theory (cont’d.) Concrete operational stage -- ages 7 to 11: Description of Stage: Thinking logically about concrete events; grasping concrete analogies & performing arithmetical operations concrete operations: understanding of “cause-effect”. concrete logical thought (“seeing is believing”). conservation is understood at this stage. Developmental Phenomena: Conservation & Mathematical transformations

Piaget’s (1963) Theory (cont’d.) Formal operational stage -- ages 11 & up: Description of stage: abstract reasoning, logical thought. able to think through things scientifically, rather than basic trial & error

Piaget’s Theory (cont.) Move beyond absolutist, generalized thought? i.e. understand things are not just “black & white” Subjectivity in moral judgement—beginnings of emotional intelligence Think more about values & goals Reason through things that are not concrete Developmental Phenomena Abstract logic & Potential for mature moral reasoning

Evaluation of Piaget’s Theory Isn’t cognitive development a lifelong process, not one that ends at age 12? Argument of a 5th stage of cognitive development: post-formal operational thought or dialectical reasoning (able to synthesize contradictory thoughts, emotions, and experiences) :  abstract,  absolute,  dynamic and fluid,  “gray”, &  flexible.

Evaluation of Piaget’s Theory (cont’d.) Not all children (or adults) reach the formal operational stage of C.D. in fact, it’s been argued that only 10% to 20% of all adults operate at a level of cognitive development beyond concrete operational stage (similar to Maslow’s statistic re: love and belongingness). Order of stages may be reached earlier by some children. e.g., conservation & emotional IQ can be understood by some pre-op. children.

Let’s Review

In the concrete operational stage, a child will learn that there is no connection between the liquid a taller, thinner glass and a fatter, shorter glass may hold a taller, thinner glass will hold less liquid than a fatter, shorter one a taller, thinner glass will hold more liquid than a fatter, shorter one a taller, thinner glass can't hold the same liquid as a fatter, shorter one a taller, thinner glass can hold the same liquid as a fatter, shorter one

2. A child begins to develop abstract reasoning at the concrete operational stage sensorimotor stage conservation stage preoperational stage formal operational stage

3. A game of peek-a-boo entertains newborns because babies haven't developed object permanence babies are developing logic babies like being surprised babies develop through games babies understand the parent isn't actually disappearing

4. A child in the preoperational stage believes others know what they know believes others are smarter hasn't yet started to use language is beginning to develop object permanence has a finely developed sense of logic

Next Time... Developmental Psychology Continued. Please continue reading Modules 8, 9, 10, & 11...

Maslow’s (1970) Hierarchy of Needs Are formal operations & post-conventional morality contingent upon L. & B. Self-Actualization 80%-90% never develop beyond Love & Belongingness Esteem Needs Love & Belongingness Needs Natural progression is upward Safety & Security Needs Physiological Needs