Which theorist proposed eight psychosocial stages of development, each with a unique challenge?

Which theorist proposed eight psychosocial stages of development, each with a unique challenge?

• A. Piaget's Cognitive Theory
• B. Erikson's Psychosocial Theory
• C. Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development
• D. Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory

Answer: (B)

Erik Erikson’s theory describes eight psychosocial stages of development, each with a distinct challenge to resolve in shaping personality and social functioning. From infancy through old age, a person moves through these stages, and successfully meeting the challenge at each step builds a positive trait and a sense of mastery. The stages include trust versus mistrust (hope), autonomy versus shame and doubt (will), initiative versus guilt (purpose), industry versus inferiority (competence), identity versus role confusion (fidelity), intimacy versus isolation (love), generativity versus stagnation (care), and integrity versus despair (wisdom). This framework emphasizes how social relationships and cultural expectations influence development across the entire lifespan, not just in childhood. Other theories focus on different aspects of development. Piaget’s Cognitive Theory is about how thinking and reasoning develop through stages. Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development centers on how moral reasoning evolves, and Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory highlights learning through observation and the role of self-efficacy in behavior.

Erik Erikson’s theory describes eight psychosocial stages of development, each with a distinct challenge to resolve in shaping personality and social functioning. From infancy through old age, a person moves through these stages, and successfully meeting the challenge at each step builds a positive trait and a sense of mastery. The stages include trust versus mistrust (hope), autonomy versus shame and doubt (will), initiative versus guilt (purpose), industry versus inferiority (competence), identity versus role confusion (fidelity), intimacy versus isolation (love), generativity versus stagnation (care), and integrity versus despair (wisdom). This framework emphasizes how social relationships and cultural expectations influence development across the entire lifespan, not just in childhood.

Other theories focus on different aspects of development. Piaget’s Cognitive Theory is about how thinking and reasoning develop through stages. Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development centers on how moral reasoning evolves, and Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory highlights learning through observation and the role of self-efficacy in behavior.