Mechanisms Of Development

Question 1

What is a functional invariant?

Answer 1

Intellectual functions that operate throughout development

-‘across stages’

Question 2

What are the two basic functional invariants that are complimentary processes?

Answer 2

1. Cognitive Organization

2. Cognitive Adaptations

Question 3

Cognitive Organization

Answer 3

Organize information from experiences as its learned.
Thought consist of integrated systems that make up the whole.
Increasing coherence and interrelatedness. Things make more sense.
You learn to organize it in your own way and still reach the same thing, it is just done your personal way.
Concrete ideas or information to abstract information (schemes move from motor to ideas) but they are always organized.

Question 4

Cognitive Adaptations

Answer 4

Adapting thought to environment

*“intelligent behavior that is appropriate to the demands of the environment”

Question 5

Assimilation

Answer 5

The process of fighting reality into current cognitive organization (same)

Question 6

Accommodation

Answer 6

Adjusting cognitive organization because reality won’t fit current understanding (change so new information can fit)

Question 7

Growth is gradual

Answer 7

Only moderately discrepancy events can be accommodated
Simultaneously present in every cognitive act.
Simulate cognitive development.

Question 8

Cognitive equilibrium

Organization & adaptation are driven by this

Answer 8

Process through which we reach cognitive equilibrium
Balance between Understanding and reality.
Able to comfortably address new situations using existing schemas and organization.
Neither assimilation or accommodation dominate
We organize and adapt information to reach equilibrium ( never ending cycle )

Question 9

What are the four components that cause disequilibrium?

Answer 9

Emotions- feelings motivate and excite learning.
Maturation- differentiation of nervous system, change in mental structures fosters more complex thought.
Experience- major catalyst. Have to have great variety to make own discoveries.
Social Interaction- provide experiences and feedback.

Question 10

Cycle of equilibrium

Answer 10

Period of Equilibrium —> state of equilibrium —> equilibrium —> period of equilibrium (repeats )