WGU D094 Educational Psychology & Development | Complete Exam
Theories: Maslow, Piaget, Vygotsky & Erikson|Questions and
Rationales Graded A+ Latest Updated 2026
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Graph that shows that individuals must satisfy a basic series of needs before they can reach
their full potential.
Maslows Needs level 1
Physiological needs ( water, food)
Maslows needs level 2
Safety and security ( Place to live, physical or financial safety
Maslows needs level 3
Love and acceptance. Love and belonging needs involve interpersonal relationships—
friendships, intimacy, trust, romance and love, and being part of a group.
MAslows needs level 4
Esteem Esteem needs include self-respect, respect from others, achievement, independence,
status, and prestige.
Maslows needs level 5
Self- actualizations personal growth and fulfillment and the realization of one's personal
potential as a human being (as Maslow put it—a desire "to become everything one is capable of
becoming.")
Piaget Theory Stage 1
0-2 years old Sensorimotor stage. Using there senses and very active. Learn Object permanence
Piaget theory stage 2
2- 7 years old preoperational good at pretend play and egocentric
Piaget theory stage 3
7-11 years old Concrete operational, conservation (Water doesn't change in different glass)
Children reason math
Piaget stage 4
, 12+ Formal observation. Moral reasoning, knowing consequences, abstract
Schema
A group of thoughts children use to categorize things. ( knowing a horse is big and has four legs,
so when they saw a cow called it a horse)
Vygotsky
Socioculture development. SOCIAl interaction between children and those around them and
their cognition. Varies across cultures
Elementary Mental Functions
having a tutor
Attention, sensory, perception, memory
Higher mental function
Becoming indpendent
More knowledgable other
Vygotsky said children needed someone in order to show them
Zone of proximal development
phase of learning during which children can benefit from instruction (When the child is actually
learning)
Vygotsky on language
Private speech or internal speech aids in development. Language is an accelerator for thinking
and understanding. Watching and learning language form others.
Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development
theory, people experience
Erikson Stage
infant-trust vs mistrust
toddler (1-3) autonomy vs shame
preschool-initiative vs guilt
school=industry vs inferiority
adolescent-identity vs role confusion
Bandura theory of model learning
Theories: Maslow, Piaget, Vygotsky & Erikson|Questions and
Rationales Graded A+ Latest Updated 2026
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Graph that shows that individuals must satisfy a basic series of needs before they can reach
their full potential.
Maslows Needs level 1
Physiological needs ( water, food)
Maslows needs level 2
Safety and security ( Place to live, physical or financial safety
Maslows needs level 3
Love and acceptance. Love and belonging needs involve interpersonal relationships—
friendships, intimacy, trust, romance and love, and being part of a group.
MAslows needs level 4
Esteem Esteem needs include self-respect, respect from others, achievement, independence,
status, and prestige.
Maslows needs level 5
Self- actualizations personal growth and fulfillment and the realization of one's personal
potential as a human being (as Maslow put it—a desire "to become everything one is capable of
becoming.")
Piaget Theory Stage 1
0-2 years old Sensorimotor stage. Using there senses and very active. Learn Object permanence
Piaget theory stage 2
2- 7 years old preoperational good at pretend play and egocentric
Piaget theory stage 3
7-11 years old Concrete operational, conservation (Water doesn't change in different glass)
Children reason math
Piaget stage 4
, 12+ Formal observation. Moral reasoning, knowing consequences, abstract
Schema
A group of thoughts children use to categorize things. ( knowing a horse is big and has four legs,
so when they saw a cow called it a horse)
Vygotsky
Socioculture development. SOCIAl interaction between children and those around them and
their cognition. Varies across cultures
Elementary Mental Functions
having a tutor
Attention, sensory, perception, memory
Higher mental function
Becoming indpendent
More knowledgable other
Vygotsky said children needed someone in order to show them
Zone of proximal development
phase of learning during which children can benefit from instruction (When the child is actually
learning)
Vygotsky on language
Private speech or internal speech aids in development. Language is an accelerator for thinking
and understanding. Watching and learning language form others.
Erikson's Stages of Psychosocial Development
theory, people experience
Erikson Stage
infant-trust vs mistrust
toddler (1-3) autonomy vs shame
preschool-initiative vs guilt
school=industry vs inferiority
adolescent-identity vs role confusion
Bandura theory of model learning
