Cognitive Theory ✅

Question 1

What are the stages in Piagets theory of development?

Answer 1

• Sensorimotor
• Preoperational
• Concrete operational
• Formal operational

Question 2

At what age is sensorimotor development normally?

Answer 2

0-2 years

Question 3

What happens in sensorimotor development?

Answer 3

Knowledge based on experience and interaction of senses and environment
Evolution of concept of self as distinct from the world, and later object permanence
Use of language and symbolism appear

Question 4

At what age is preoperational development normally?

Answer 4

2-7

Question 5

What happens in preoperational development?

Answer 5

Child is egocentric, with difficulty seeing things from another’s point of view
Belief that all events are related to self
Display animism, precausal thinking, and magical thinking
Symbolism and symbolic play appear, with use of imagination
Child has keen interest in asking questions and gaining knowledge about how and later why things are

Question 6

Give an example of animism?

Answer 6

Objects are like people, e.g. table bumped my leg because it is mean

Question 7

What is precausal thinking?

Answer 7

Natural phenomena are there because of willful acts, e.g. rainbows are there because someone painted them in the sky

Question 8

What is magical thinking?

Answer 8

A belief that one’s ideas, thoughts, actions, words, or use of symbols can influence the course of events in the material world, e.g. if I say something is true, it becomes true

Question 9

At what age is concrete operational development normally?

Answer 9

7-11 years

Question 10

What happens in the concrete operational stage?

Answer 10

Awareness of their own thoughts vs others thoughts and feelings
Skills develop in field of logic and problem-solving
Interest in categorisation, classification, and lists
Ability to generalise information from specific observations

Question 11

At what age is formal operational development normally?

Answer 11

11+

Question 12

Do all adults reach the formal operational stage?

Answer 12

No

Question 13

What happens in the formal operational stage?

Answer 13

There is an ability to handle abstract concept and use deductive reasoning in problem-solving

Question 14

What measures of cognitive ability are included in standard developmental assessments?

Answer 14

• Knowing colours, shapes, and numbers
• Problem solving for puzzle boards
• Being able to select which of two objects is bigger or smaller
• Understanding concepts such that a bird flies or horse runs fast

Question 15

What aspects of thinking require more specialised assessment?

Answer 15

• Executive planning

- Understanding and using complex social rules

Question 16

What is high quality pre-school education associated with?

Answer 16

Improved cognitive and social development