1. COGNITIVE-DEVELOPMENTALTHEORY
JEAN PIAGET
COGNITIVE-DEVELOPMENTALTHEORY

2. Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development
Stage Theorist – 4 stages of cognitive development
Developed primarily as a result of observing his own children, and as such…
Deemed unscientific by many American psychologists, but….
Results have since been replicated by many attempting to discredit his work

3. Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development: Basic Concepts
Physical action/curiosity/exploration is the basis for cognitive development
Adaptation – a continuous process of interacting with the environment, leads to the development of schemas
Schema – a habit, reflex or response; may be behavioral or cognitive
Assimilation – using an existing schema to handle an environmental demand

4. Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development: Basic Concepts
Disequilibrium – conflict created when new situations can not be assimilated (i.e. an existing schema is unable to handle an environmental demand); leads to…..
Accomodation – modifying a response in accordance with environmental demands; leads to new schema development (this is cognitive growth)
Equilibration Principle – disequilibrium leads to curiosity and exploration which facilitates cognitive development
Figurative vs. Operative Knowledge

5. ADAPTATION AND ORGANIZATION are essential to EQUILIBRATION
TO MAINTAIN EQUILIBRIUM, individuals ADAPT to their environment and ORGANIZE their knowledge
ADAPTATION AND ORGANIZATION are essential to
EQUILIBRATION
The process of maintaining equilibrium

6. COGNITIVE ABILITIES DEVELOP IN STAGES

7. STAGES OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
SENSORIMOTOR
PREOPERATIONAL
CONCRETE OPERATIONS
FORMAL OPERATIONS

8. STAGES OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
SENSORIMOTOR
STAGES OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

9. Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development: Sensorimotor Stage
Birth – 2 yrs of age
Schema development is largely sensory and motor related
Reflexive behavior dominates stage (ex. Sucking)
Eye-hand coordination develops
Demonstrates: intentionality
object differentiation
object permanence

10. PREOPERATIONAL STAGE
IMMACULATE PERCEPTION

11. Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development: Preoperational Stage
Ages 2 – 6 years
Schema development involves speech, language and vocabulary and is characterized by:
egocentrism
reliance on perception
irreversibility
centration
simple classification
inability to “conserve”

12. CONSERVATION OF LIQUIDS
PREOPERATIONAL STAGE

13. STAGES OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
SENSORIMOTOR
PREOPERATIONAL
CONCRETE OPERATIONS

14. Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development: Concrete Operations
Ages 6 – 11 yrs.
Ability to reason logically with concrete but not abstract concepts
Characterized by: reversibility
decentration
ability to “conserve”
multiple classification
seriation

15. STAGES OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
FORMAL OPERATIONS
CONCRETE OPERATIONS
STAGES OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
SENSORIMOTOR
PREOPERATIONAL

16. Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development: Formal Operations
Early Adolescence and Adulthood
Characterized by:
Propositional thinking
Experimental reasoning
Idealistic Egocentrism
Conceptualizes combos

17. “EVERY TIME WE TEACH A CHILD SOMETHING, WE KEEP HIM FROM REINVENTING IT. ON THE OTHER HAND, EVERY TIME A CHILD DISCOVERS IT FOR HIMSELF, IT REMAINS WITH HIM FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.”
Jean Piaget

18. Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development: Implications
Suggests the importance of discovery learning (Bruner)
Suggests that learning will be most meaningful if interest and curiosity is peaked (i.e. induce disequilibrium by presenting challenges just beyond the child’s capabilities
Suggests there are limits to what can be taught to children; learning is limited by stage characteristics