Life Development
8 theories available
In-Depth Explanation
Life Development
Understand the predictable stages and crises of human growth from birth to death. These theories illuminate where you are in life's journey, what developmental tasks you face, and how to navigate transitions with wisdom and purpose.
Erikson's Stages of Development
Erik Erikson's eight-stage psychosocial development theory spanning from infancy to late adulthood, each stage presenting a crisis that shapes personality.
Piaget's Cognitive Development
Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development explaining how children construct knowledge through sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete, and formal operational stages.
Kohlberg's Moral Development
Lawrence Kohlberg's stages of moral reasoning from pre-conventional through conventional to post-conventional levels of ethical thinking.
Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory
Lev Vygotsky's theory explaining how social interaction, culture, and language shape cognitive development through the Zone of Proximal Development.
Levinson's Seasons of Life
Daniel Levinson's theory of adult development describing life as a series of seasons with predictable transitions and structure-building periods.
Fowler's Stages of Faith
James Fowler's theory of faith development describing how meaning-making and spiritual understanding evolve through six stages across the lifespan.
Gilligan's Ethics of Care
Carol Gilligan's alternative to Kohlberg emphasizing moral development through relationships, responsibility, and care rather than abstract justice principles.
Loevinger's Ego Development
Jane Loevinger's theory of ego development describing stages of self-awareness, impulse control, and character development from impulsive to integrated.