Cognitive Development Theories

Question 1

Key Ideas of Piaget’s Theory

Answer 1

• Children are little scientists
• Domain-general
• Learn through Assimilation & Accommodation
  *Reflexes modified through interaction with environment
  *Mental representation is a fundamental ability

Question 2

Piaget’s Stages

Answer 2

*Sensorimotor (0-2)
1. Reflexes are basic ability,
integrated into intentional
behavior
2. Object permanence, language,
pretend play
*Pre-operational (2-7)
1. Flexible mental representation
& symbols
2. Struggles with Egocentrism &
Centration
*Concerete Operational (7-12)
1. Improved reasoning about
others and the world
2. Struggles with hypothetical
reasoning & systematic problem
solving
*Formal Operational (12+)
1. Abstract though & reasoning

Question 3

Strengths & Weaknesses of Piaget’s Theory

Answer 3

*Strengths
1. Emphasis on active child
2. Highlights key processes (e.g. mental representation)
3. Influenced methods
4. Breadth (domains, ages)
*Weaknesses
1. Children’s thinking isn’t so
consistent
2. Underestimates ability of
children (CK)
3. Underestimates social world
(SC)
4. Vague about mechanisms (IP)

Question 4

Key Ideas of Core Knowledge Theories

Answer 4

*Children are the product of evolution
*Domain-specific
*Nativist
*Innate learning or learning
mechanism
*Share “core” with other species

Question 5

Ch 5: Dr. Baillargeon’s Study of Object Permanence

Answer 5

*Study on object permanence in infants as young as 3 1/2 months
* Methods:
1. Habituation: looking times decrease as infants get bored
2. Dishabituation: Start looking for longer
*Criticisms:
1. Could be a more basic
perceptual explanation
2. Develop early != innate
*Conclusions:
1. Basic implicit expectations on
possibility
2. Innate or very early developed
ability

Question 6

Key Ideas of Sociocultural Theory

Answer 6

*Children are social learners & cultural participants
*Development is led by child
*Language and cultural tools are key
1. Interpersonal speech: develop
thinking by communicating with
others
2. Intrapersonal speech: private
speech and mental
representations
*Zone of Proximal Development:
*Children are able to think at and
perform at a higher level with a
skilled mentor than they could on
their own

Question 7

Ch 4: Vygotsky Study

Answer 7

• Younger children (8-13 years old) perform better with colored cue cards because they need an external device to represent internal concepts
  *Adults and older children do not benefit as much because they have already internalized these signs

Question 8

Key Ideas of Information-Processing Theory

Answer 8

*Children are little computers & problem-solvers
*Basic abilities support higher cognition
* Attention, working memory,
long-term memory
*More and better strategies
* Conservation tasks
*Increased capacity, speed, and
flexibility of basic cognition

Question 9

Education Application: Piaget

Answer 9

*Teacher sets up environment
*Child must be ready
*Child interacts with environment & comes to understanding by themselves
*Peer interaction prompts accommodation or assimilation

Question 10

Education Application: Vygotsky

Answer 10

*Child directs activity
*Adult or more experienced peer scaffolds learning
*Make use of external “signs” to internalize