Student Development

Theory
Jessica Turpin
Post University

Student Development Theory

Whether the student is 18 or 85 the choice to participate in higher education can be
scary and exciting at the same time. In some cases the excitement and fear can be
overwhelming to the student. Others may have difficulty learning the new technology.
It is important for both the student and university to be aware of the individuals
development so that the student has the best opportunity to learn. One way that
student development has been studied is through the use of various theories and their
various stages to provide description of what the student may be struggling with.
Among a few of the top theories is Ericksons eight stages of development, Kohlbergs
stages of moral development, and Chickerings seven vectors of identity.

Kohlberg has developed a cognitive structural theory of moral development. His

is a multistage theory of development as follows:

Stage 1. Heteronomous morality

Stage 2. Individualistic, instrumental morality
Stage 3. Interpersonally normative morality
Stage 4. Social system morality
Stage 5. Human rights and social welfare morality
Stage 6. Morality of universalizable, reversible, and
prescriptive general ethical principles

Chickering has developed a psychosocial theory using seven vectors of

identity (Chickering & Reisser, 1993). The vectors are classified as follows:

Vector 1. Developing competence

Vector 2. Managing Emotions
Vector 3. Moving through autonomy toward interdependence
Vector 4. Developing mature interpersonal relationships
Vector 5. Establishing identity
Vector 6. Developing Purpose
Vector 7. Developing Integrity.

The development of competence can be aided through

the use of introductory courses as suggested by Kuh
(2005).

According to McLeod (2013) Erickson has also described his theory of

change in terms of stages:

Stage 1. Trust v. mistrust

Stage 2. Autonomy v. shame
Stage 3. Initiative v. guilt
Stage 4. Industry v. inferiority
Stage 5. Ego identity v. role confusion
Stage 6. Intimacy v. isolation
Stage 7. Generativity v. stagnation
Stage 8. Ego integrity v. despair

The stages in Eriksons theory likely to be encountered by

college students are the fifth and sixth, or industry v.
inferiority and intimacy v. isolation.

When an educator has a better understanding of the development

of their students they are in a better position to reach them. If the
student is lacking in their development in any area and the
educator is aware they may be able to provide the necessary
assistance to get them where they need to be so they can stay on
the path to academic success.

References
Chickering, A., & Reisser, L. (1993). The seven vectors:
An overview.Education and identity, 43-52
Kuh, G. D., & Documenting Effective Educational
Practice, (. (Project). (2005). Student Success in
College : Creating Conditions That Matter. San
Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
McLeod, S. (2013). Erik Erickson. Retrieved from
http://www.simplypsychology.org/Erik-Erikson.html