Oklahoma Social Studies PS.4.3
The Standard
- PS.4
- Describe physical, cognitive, and social development across the lifespan, including processes of human learning.
Describe the theories of Jean Piaget, Lawrence Kohlberg, and Erik Erikson regarding human development.
Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies (2026) · PS.4
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students describe how Piaget explains changes in thinking, Kohlberg explains moral reasoning, and Erikson explains challenges people face across life. They use examples to show how the three theories differ.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can connect a child's answer about equal amounts of water in different glasses to Piaget's work on conservation. They can explain a teen's questions about identity using Erikson and sort reasons for returning a lost wallet using Kohlberg's levels.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may confuse Kohlberg's reasons for a choice with whether the choice is good or bad. They may treat Piaget's age ranges as exact deadlines or think Erikson's theory ends after childhood.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: A child says a taller glass holds more water, a student returns a wallet to avoid punishment, and a teen wonders who they want to be. Name the theorist for each and explain each match.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Pour equal amounts of water into differently shaped clear cups, then ask students how Piaget would explain a young child's answer.
Ask students to write two different reasons someone might return a lost wallet, then discuss where Kohlberg would place each reason.
Give pairs scenario cards about thinking, moral choices, and identity, and have them sort the cards by theorist.
Use a school course catalog to choose two electives, then explain how Erikson's identity stage might shape a teen's choices.
Free download
Printable PS.4.3 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to PS.4.3, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetKeep exploring
Related Standards
- PS.4.1
Explain the interaction of environmental and biological factors in human development, including the role of the brain in all aspects of development.
- PS.4
Describe physical, cognitive, and social development across the lifespan, including processes of human learning.
- PS.4.2
Examine major theories of human development.
- PS.4.5
Identify and explain the major theories of learning including classical conditioning, operant conditioning, social learning theory, and insight learning.
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.
Also for this standard:Make a WorksheetMake a QuizMake a Sub Lesson