Neuropsychological Development

Question 1

Name the stages of Piagets Model of Cognitive Development

Answer 1

• Sensorimotor
• Pre-Operational
• Concrete Operational
• Formal Operational

Question 2

Describe each stage of Piaget’s Model.

Answer 2

Sensorimotor Stage
Birth to 2 years
- Know the world via movements and sensations
- Learn through basic actions e.g. sucking, grasping, looking, listening
- Object permanence begins to develop
- Understand they are separate to other people and objects
- Realize their actions have consequences
Pre-Operational Stage
2 to 7 years
- Think symbolically and learn to use words/pictures to represent objects
- Egocentric, struggle to see others’ perspectives
- Concrete thinking
Concrete Operational Stage
7 to 11 years
- Think logically about concrete events
- Understand the concept of conservation
- More logical and organized thinking
- Inductive logic
Formal Operational Stage
12 years and onwards
- Think abstractly and reason about hypothetical problems
- Abstract thought
- Theoretical and abstract reasoning
- Deductive logic

Question 3

What happens to grey matter over time?

Answer 3

Grey matter decreases due to pruning of neural connections

Question 4

What is the most beneficial parenting style for development?

Answer 4

Warmth and responsive

Question 5

Describe the differences between development of the brain of the different sexes.

Answer 5

Females have a higher density of grey matter

Males are more variable

Question 6

Name other factors affecting development.

Answer 6

Environmental - green space, screen time
Infections
Toxins - alcohol, anti-epileptics, environmental
Adverse effects - loss of parent, disaster, abuse and trauma, familial disadvantage