Lifespan development 4 Flashcards
What is the sensorimotor stage in Piaget’s theory?
Birth to 2 years; children learn through senses and motor behavior and develop object permanence.
What is object permanence?
- The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight (developed during the sensorimotor stage).
What is the preoperational stage in Piaget’s theory?
- Ages 2-7; children use symbols and engage in pretend play but are egocentric.
What is egocentrism in Piaget’s theory?
The inability to take another person’s perspective (common in the preoperational stage).
What is the concrete operational stage in Piaget’s theory?
Ages 7-11; children think logically about concrete events and understand reversibility.
What is reversibility in Piaget’s theory?
The understanding that objects can be changed and then returned to their original form or condition (e.g., water poured into a different glass can be poured back).
What is the formal operational stage in Piaget’s theory?
Ages 11+; children can think abstractly, reason hypothetically, and solve complex problems.
What is abstract thinking in Piaget’s theory?
The ability to think about concepts, ideas, and possibilities that are not physically present (developed in the formal operational stage).
What is hypothetical reasoning in Piaget’s theory?
- The ability to consider “what if” scenarios and think about possibilities (developed in the formal operational stage).
What is the main limitation of the preoperational stage?
- Children cannot understand adult logic or mentally manipulate information.
What is the main achievement of the concrete operational stage?
Children can perform logical operations on concrete objects and understand concepts like conservation.
What is conservation in Piaget’s theory?
The understanding that quantity remains the same even when the appearance of an object changes (e.g., pouring water into a taller glass).
What is the main achievement of the formal operational stage?
The ability to think abstractly, reason hypothetically, and solve complex problems.
What is an example of assimilation in Piaget’s theory?
A child calling a sheep a “dog” because it fits their existing schema for four-legged animals.
What is an example of accommodation in Piaget’s theory?
A child learning that a sheep is not a dog and creating a new schema for sheep.
How does Piaget’s theory differ from Vygotsky’s theory?
Piaget focuses on individual cognitive development through stages, while Vygotsky emphasizes social interaction and cultural tools in learning.
What is the role of play in Piaget’s theory?
Play helps children practice and develop cognitive skills, especially during the preoperational stage.
What is the main criticism of Piaget’s theory?
It underestimates the cognitive abilities of young children and overestimates the abilities of adolescents.
What is the significance of the sensorimotor stage?
It lays the foundation for understanding the world through sensory experiences and motor actions.
What is the significance of the preoperational stage?
It marks the development of symbolic thinking and language, but children are still egocentric.
What is the significance of the concrete operational stage?
It marks the development of logical thinking about concrete objects and events.
What is the significance of the formal operational stage?
It marks the development of abstract and hypothetical thinking.
What is an example of symbolic thinking in the preoperational stage?
A child using a stick as a sword during pretend play.
What is an example of logical thinking in the concrete operational stage?
A child understanding that 2 + 3 = 5 and that 5 - 3 = 2 (reversibility).
What is an example of abstract thinking in the formal operational stage?
A teenager solving a complex algebra problem or debating philosophical ideas.
How does Piaget’s theory influence education?
It emphasizes hands-on learning, discovery, and adapting teaching methods to the child’s cognitive stage.
