Developmental Theorist

This theorist explains three levels of moral development: preconventional, conventional, and postconventional.

• Lawrence Kohlberg
• Albert Bandura
• Lev Vygotsky
• Abraham Maslow

This theorist developed the hierarchy of needs.

• Arnold Gesell
• BF Skinner
• Abraham Maslow
• Sigmund Freud

This theorist believed that learning could be broken down into smaller tasks, and that offering immediate rewards for accomplishments stimulated future learning.

• Lawrence Kohlberg
• B.F. Skinner
• Jean Piaget
• Albert Bandura

This theorist proposed the “zone of proximal development” where he believed learning occurs.

• Erik Erikson
• Sigmund Freud
• Albert Bandura
• Lev Vygotsky

This theorist stated that children learn best through their senses pursuing their own interests at their own rate.

• Maria Montessori
• Albert Bandura
• Abraham Maslow
• BF Skinner

This theorist was the first to study children in a scientific way. His theory stated that children go through four stages of learning: Sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operations.

• Arnold Gesell
• Maria Montessori
• Lawrence Kohlberg
• Jean Piaget

This theorist developed the normal sequence of development and at what age children should be able to do certain things.  These age-norms are still used today by the medical profession.

• Abraham Maslow
• Arnold Gesell
• BF Skinner
• Maria Montessori

This theorist developed the idea of Id, Ego, and Superego.

• Albert Bandura
• Lev Vygotsky
• Sigmund Freud
• Erik Erikson

This theorist believed each stage of development is focused on overcoming conflict. He came up with eight stages of social/emotional development.

• Erik Erikson
• Sigmund Freud
• Albert Bandura
• Arnold Gesell

This theorist proposed the Social Learning Theory which stated people learn new information and behaviors from watching others.

• Arnold Gesell
• Albert Bandura
• Lev Vygotsky
• Erik Erikson