Jean Piaget: Cognitive Theory

Question 1

Piaget’s Cognitive Theory

Answer 1

Thinking and learning for children takes place through 4 distinct stages

• Sensorimotor Stage
• Preoperational Stage (substages: preconceptual and intuitive)
• Concrete Operational Stage
• Formal Operational Stage

Question 2

Sensorimotor Stage

Answer 2

initial period

• takes place from birth to age 2
• primary means of cognition is through the senses
• child takes in and processes information strictly on a physiological or emotional level
• use of reflexes
• primary circular reactions
• secondary circular reactions
• coordination of secondary schemes
• tertiary circular reactions
• mental combinations

Question 3

Preoperational Stage

Answer 3

(ages 2 to 7 years)

• at the age of 2, the child begins to use cognitive processes to respond to the world physically
• this stage takes into account the development of motor skills
• divided into 2 substages: preconceptual (2-4 years) and intuitive (4-7 years)
• child is still not capable of logical thinking, but because of an increased ability to use words and actions together, the child is increasingly able to connect cognitively with the world

Question 4

Concrete Operational Stage

Answer 4

(7 to 11 year old)

• able to organize thoughts in a logical order
• child is able to categorize and label objects
• possible for the child to solve concrete problems

Question 5

Formal Operational Stage

Answer 5

(11 to 15 years old)

• final stage
• uses abstract reasoning to handle difficult concepts and can analyze both sides of an issue