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Module 3: Introduction to Social and Emotional Development

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Use the readings, videos, and the supplemental resources in this guide to complete the
study focus questions below.  Note that the notebook includes active links to some of
the resources, i.e. videos, graphic organizers, practice questions.

**TIP – If you plan to print the notebook out and fill it in by hand, you can add spaces in
the charts for your notes beforehand. 

After engaging with this module, you should be able to do the following:

 Explain Erikson’s first 6 stages of psychosocial development.

 Describe Bandura’s theory of observational and modeling learning.
 Describe Kohlberg’s and Gilligan’s moral development theories.
 Identify social and emotional development levels and expectations.

Milestone 1: Explain Erikson’s first 6 stages of psychosocial development.

Stage Ages Explanation
Trust versus Mistrust Birth to 12 Infants must learn that adults can be trusted.
months This occurs when adults meet a child’s basic
needs for survival. Infants are dependent upon
their caregivers, so caregivers who are
responsive and sensitive to their infant’s needs
help their baby to develop a sense of trust; their
baby will see the world as a safe, predictable
place.
Autonomy versus Shame 1 to 3 years As toddlers begin to explore their world, they
and Doubt learn that they can control their actions and act
on their environment to get results. They begin
to show clear preferences for certain elements
of the environment, such as food, toys, and
clothing. This is the “me do it” stage. For
example, one might observe a budding sense
of autonomy in a two-year-old child who wants
to choose her clothes and dress herself.
Although her outfits might not be appropriate
for the situation, her input in such a basic
decisions has an effect on her sense of
independence. If denied the opportunity to act
on her environment, she may begin to doubt
her abilities, which could lead to low self-
esteem and feelings of shame.
Initiative versus Guilt 3 to 6 years Once children reach the preschool stage they
 are capable of initiating activities and asserting
control over their world through social
interactions and play. According to Erikson,
preschool children must resolve the task of
initiative versus guilt. By learning to plan and
achieve goals while interacting with others,
preschool children can master this task.
Initiative, a sense of ambition and
responsibility, occurs when parents allow a
child to explore within limits and then support
the child’s choice. These children will develop
self-confidence and feel a sense of purpose.
Those who are unsuccessful at this stage- with
their initiative misfiring or stifled by
overcontrolling parents- may develop feelings
of guilt.
Industry versus Inferiority 6 to 12 years During the elementary school stage, children
face the task of industry versus inferiority.
Children begin to compare themselves with
their peers to see how they measure up. They
either develop a sense of pride and
accomplishment in their schoolwork, sports,
social activities, and family life, or feel inferior
and inadequate because they feel that they do
not measure up. If children do not learn to get
along with others or have negative experiences
at homme or with peers, an inferiority complex
might develop into adolescence and adulthood.
Identity versus Role 12 to 18 In adolescence, children face the task of
Confusion years identity versus role confusion. According to
Erikson, an adolescent’s main task is
developing a sense of self. Adolescents
struggle with questions such as “Who am I?”
and “What do I want to do with my life?” Along
the way, most adolescents try on many
different selves to see which ones fit; they
explore various roles and ideas, set goals, and
attempt to discover their “adult” selves.
Adolescents who are successful at this stage
have a strong sense of identity and are able to
remain true to their beliefs and values in the
face of problems and other people’s
perspectives. When adolescents are apathetic,
do not make a conscious search for identity, or
are pressured to conform to their parents’ ideas
for the future, they may develop a weak sense
of self and experience role confusion. They will
be unsure of their identity and confused about
the future. Teenagers who struggle to adopt a
positive role will likely struggle to “find”
themselves as adults.
 Intimacy versus Isolation 20s to 40s People in early adulthood are concerned with
years intimacy versus isolation. After they have
developed a sense of self in adolescence, they
are ready to share their lives with others.
However, if other stages have not been
successfully resolved, young adults may have
trouble developing and maintaining successful
relationships with others. Erikson said that
people must have a strong sense of self before
they can develop successful intimate
relationships. Adults who do not develop a
positive self-concept in adolescence may
experience feelings of loneliness and emotional
isolation.

Study Tip: For stages 3 - 6, try to consider the grade-levels that these stages would be
associated with.

Video Review Erikson’s Stages of Psychosocial Development

Graphic Organizer Erikson's Psychosocial theory

Milestone 2: Describe Bandura’s theory of observational and modeling learning

A R R M

Video Review Bandura’s Theory of Observational and Modeling Learning

Milestone 3-1: Describe Kohlberg’s moral development theory.

Pre-Conventional Conventional Post-Conventional
 Focus Question: What is the significance of the Heinz Dilemma?

Study Tip: For Pre-conventional, think “me”; For Post-conventional, think “most”
Video Review Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development 

Graphic Organizer Kohlberg's moral theory

Milestone 3-2: Describe Gilligan’s moral development theory.

Stage Characteristics

Study Tip: Carol Gilligan is known for her Care Perspective. So, remember “Carol = Care for
All”

Vide Review Carol Gilligan’s Ethics of Care Theory 

Milestone 4: Identifying social and emotional development levels and expectations

Stages Expectations Strategies
Infants/Babies
 Toddlers

Preschool

Elementary Grades

Middle School

High School

Slide Review Social and Emotional Development

Module Key Terms

Instructions: Be sure you can define, explain and provide examples for the following terms
Erikson Bandura Kohlberg and Gilligan
Trust Attention Pre-conventional
Mistrust Retention Obedience-and-Punishment
Autonomy Reproduction Orientation
Shame and Doubt Motivation Instrumental Orientation
Initiative Vicarious Punishment Conventional
Guilt Vicarious Reinforcement Good Boy, Nice Girl Orientation
Industry Live Model Law-and-Order Orientation
Inferiority Verbal Model Post-conventional
Identity Symbolic Model Social Contract Orientation
Role Confusion Universal-Ethical Principle
Intimacy Orientation
Isolation Care Perspective
Complete the Module 3 Practice Questions