Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development

Basic Building Blocks of the Theory SCHEMA – Mental Frameworks to organize and interpret information Assimilation – Using an already established schema for a new stimulus Accomodation – Developing a schema to adapt to a broader range of stimuli

THE ENGINE Assimilation and Accommodation in work in tandem to be the driving force of cognitive development

4 Stages of Piaget’s Theory Sensorimotor – (Birth – 2 Years) –Focus is very self-centered (the world only exists as it exists for me). –Focus is on Sensation and Movement –Difficult to grasp object permanence unitl around months –Develop ability to imitate around 9 months

4 Stages of Piaget’s Theory Pre-Operational – (2 – 6 years) –Lots of language development happening –Object permanence is established as is the ability to imitate (which means watch your mouth around these kids) –Egocentrism = trouble with the idea that others perceive the world differently than they do –Irreversibility – difficulty reversing actions or problems –Animism – belief that all things are living

4 Stages of Piaget’s Theory Pre-Operational – (2 – 7 years) –Difficulty with conservation (you can change some characteristics but conserve others)

4 Stages of Piaget’s Theory Concrete Operational – ( years) –Has a grasp on: Object Permanence Reversibility Other’s POV Conservation “What is” –Has Trouble with: Gray areas instead of hard and fast rules/truths

4 Stages of Piaget’s Theory Formal Operational – (12 years and beyond) –Develops the ability to work with high level, symbolic/abstract thoughts and ideas. (truth and justice, math, logic, philosophy etc) –Now conceives not only “what is” but “what could be”

Flaws with Piaget Modern studies are concluding that Piaget’s timeline is not as solid as may have been previously thought. HOWEVER – his theory has been validated in that there are qualitative changes in your cognitive ability that progress as you age. More of a continuous process than a stage process.

Flaws with Piaget Downplays the significance of environmental, social and emotional factors.