ABSTRACT
Psychosocial theories examine the content of development; that is, the important issues people face as their lives progress, such as how to define themselves and their relationships with others, and what to do with their lives. Psychosocial theories explain or describe developmental, age-related tasks that focus on the resolution of different crises and life moments. Scholars have critiqued some psychosocial theories, specifically Chickering and Reisser’s work, as “insufficient” in considering racial identities. The earliest psychosocial theories often encompassed sequential stages and nonlinear statuses, pathways, and vectors; both progression, digression, and crisis resolution can occur as students address developmental tasks, navigate behaviors and interactions, and learn coping skills. Furthermore, gender must be accounted for in psychosocial development, because differences may exist when disaggregating between men and women’s development.
