piaget's theory of cognitive development (Jean Piaget, key theory) Flashcards
what were Piaget’s 2 main outlines of the theory?
1) “Children do not know less- they just think in a way that is different to adults”
2)”(Children) do not think logically because their brains have not developed yet”
what did he believe about cognitive development?
-Piaget believed that cognitive development happens in stages
-Each stage gets more complex as children age
-Schemas develop and you learn through assimilation and accommodation
what are the 5 stages of cognitive development? (in order)
-assimilation
-equilibration
-new situation
-disequilibrium
-accommodation
what is a schema?
mental framework containing the information we have about the world
what is assimilation?
using existing schemas to cope
what is equilibration?
balance- schema is enough to understand world around you
what is a new situation?
challenges what you have learnt and throws you into disequilibrium
what is disequilibrium?
unbalanced, your schema is not enough to understand
what is accommodation?
need to make a huge change to your schema or make a new one
what is the negative ‘Point’?
To support his theory, Piaget used a selection of middle class, white, Swiss children
what is the negative ‘Evidence’?
All the pp’s studied were from an academic background. As a result, they are not representative
what is the negative ‘Explanation’?
Other cultures may value other skills e.g more practical skills (hunting and cooking)
what is the negative ‘Link’?
Therefore, Piaget’s theory of cognitive development has reduced credibility as an explanation of how cognition develops in all cultures
what is the positive ‘Point’?
Piaget’s theory has influenced classroom teaching
what is the positive ‘Evidence’?
In the 1960s, students learnt via rote learning e.g copying directly from the board
