Cognitive Development I Flashcards
Jean Piaget dates?
1896-1980
Who was Jean Piaget?
A Swiss developmental psychologist
What did Jean Piaget develop?
Piaget developed a general model of cognitive development, partly through the observation of his own children.
Piaget’s thoery influence?
Piaget’s theory has been highly influential in the field of developmental psychology
What is Piaget’s theory?
Piaget’s theory is stage theory of cognitive development.
What are the three main points to Piaget’s theory?
Mental abilities do not just change in a continuous, gradual fashion.
There are qualitative changes, characterised by distinct stages of intellectual ability.
And Children’s thinking is a different kind of thinking to adults.
Is Piaget’s theory used widely?
Yes, it is the universal model of cognitive development.
What can Piaget’s theory be applied to?
Piaget’s theory can be applied to understanding how all kinds of knowledge develop eg languages, maths etc
What is the basic unit of thought called?
A schema
What is a schema?
A schema is a general ‘mental description’ of an action, symbol, or thought process.
Schema’s help us to do what two things?
Schemas help us to organise past experiences and make sense of new experiences.
Why do children build schemas?
children build schemas in an effort to adapt to their environment.
What is knowledge constructed from?
knowledge is constructed from action.
Is learning active of passive?
Learning is active, not passive.
What is adaptation in Piaget’s theory?
Adaptation involves building schemas through direct interaction with the environment.
What two complementary activities does adaptation consist of?
Assimilation and accommodation.