Explain the stage theories of jean piaget, erik erikson, and lawrence kohlberg. include a valid criticism of each

Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development discuss the cognitive development of children based on the environment and the biological maturation. It is composed of 4 stages namely Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational and Formal Operational. One criticism from this theory is that it is only focuses on the children and not to all learners.

For Erik Erikson, he proposed a theory compose of eight stages from infancy to adulthood namely Trust vs Mistrust, Autonomy vs Shame, Initiative vs Guilt, Industry vs Inferiority, Identity vs Role Confusion, Intimacy vs Isolation, Generativity vs Stagnation and Ego Integrity vs Despair. The person can experience social problem that can have a good or a bad outcome. A valid criticism for this theory is that the theorist is unclear about the causes of development and how to cope with the experiences as to move to the next stage. Lastly, for Lawrence Kohlberg, it states that morality starts as of the early years of childhood and can be an effect of some factors. It compose of 3 levels namely Preconventional, Conventional and Post conventional with 6 stages namely Punishment avoidance and obedience, Exchange of favors, The good boy or girl, the Law and order, Social contract and Universal Ethical Principle. A criticism of this is that People do not reach the post conventional level thus can be doubtful if this can be called levels of development.