Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Popular motivational theory proposed by Abraham Maslow in 1943.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Main Idea Individuals must satisfy a basic series of needs before they can reach their
potential.
Maslow's Deficiency Needs Physiological, Safety, Love and Belonging, and Esteem
Maslow's Growth Needs Cognitive, Aesthetic, Self-Actualization, Transcendence
Maslow's Physiological Need Biological needs for survival, food, water, shelter
Maslow's Safety Need Protection from the elements, law and order, financial security, and freedom from
fear.
Maslow's Love and Belonging Need Need for interpersonal relationships - friendships, intimacy, being part of a group.
Maslow's Esteem Need Self-respect, respect from others, achievement, status, and prestige.
Maslow's Cognitive Need Curiosity, knowledge, and intellectual exploration
Maslow's Aesthetic Need Need focuses on the search for and expression of beauty and balance.
Maslow's Self-Actualization Need Personal growth and fulfillment and the realization of one's personal potential as
a human being.
Maslow's Transcendence Need Meeting spiritual needs or helping others achieve self-actualization.
Arnold Gesell First theorist to observe and document stages of physical development.
Gesell's Maturational Theory Child's growth & development are influenced by both their environment and
genes in sequential order
Infancy The stage of development that begins at birth and lasts between 18 and 24
months. Dozens of motor skills are added.
, WGU D094 Exam Prep
Early Childhood The stage of development from 2 - 6 years old. Improvements occur in both fine
and gross motor skills.
Middle Childhood The stage of development from 6 - 10 years old. Slow but steady gains in weight
and height.
Adolescence The stage of development from 10 - 18 years old. Weight and height increase
rapidly and puberty begins.
Jean Piaget Swiss psychologist known for his Theory of Cognitive Development.
Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development Theory that suggests children move through four different stages of
development. Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, and Formal
Operational.
Sensorimotor Stage Stage of development from birth to 2 years. Infants and toddlers acquire
knowledge through sensory experiences and manipulating objects.
Object Permanence The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen.
Major development of sensorimotor stage.
Preoperational Stage Stage of development from 2 to 7 years. Kids learn through pretend play.
Egocentric and struggle to see others perspective.
Concrete Operational Stage Stage of development from 7 to 11 years. Logical thought begins, and they
understand the idea of conservation.
Formal Operational Stage Stage of development for 12 years and up. Abstract thought begins. Higher order
thinking and ability to systematically plan for future.
Schema Categories of knowledge that help us to interpret and understand the world. An
organized pattern of behavior or thought.
Assimilation Process of using or transforming the environment so that it can be placed in
preexisting cognitive structures (schema).
Accomodation Process of changing cognitive structures (schema) in order to accept something
from the environment. Can also develop new schemas.
Equilibration The attempt to strike a balance between assimilation and accommodation. The
tendency to organize schemas.