Question

Although Erikson focused on Social Cognitive Theory and Kohlberg focused on moral development, explain how these two theories might complement one another in explaining some aspect of adolescent development.

Answer 1

Both Erikson and Kohlberg says about the role of parents in the development of the children. In the third stage of the development Erikson says that child needs to play with others. He needs more social interactions and these interactions help the child to be familiar with the social norms and morality. Kohlberg also says that  a child's moral sense grows at the conventional level with personal and social relationships and this is possible for social interactions.

According to Erikson, the regular interaction of a child at school helps to increase his internal skill. Through various activities these skills develop. Kohlberg says that morality is an internal skill and school plays an important role in imparting morality. Here the parents should also encourage the child to be moral. Kohlberg thinks that peer groups help in building self-esteem in the child. the same reflection is also found in the view of Erikson as in the fifth stage when the child seeks identity.