Piaget - study into the conservation of number

Question 1

Background

Answer 1

According to Piaget, conservation is one of the skills children acquire as part of their cognitive development. Idea that when a liquid or objects appearance changes, and ‘transformed’ the physical properties remain the same. ( Talk about example of water and also plasticine )

Ability to conserve develops during concrete operational stage , conversation of number is first to be acquired followed by mass and then volume.

Question 2

Aim
Hypothesis

Answer 2

Demonstrate that children in concrete operational stage are more likely to conserve than children in pre operational stage.

children in concrete operational stage will be able to conserve more than children in pre operational stage.

Question 3

Research method/design

Answer 3

Study was a natural experiment as IV naturally occurring.

IDV = Age of children
DV = Ability to conserve number
Cross sectional study = Piaget tested different children of different ages
Independent measure = each age group represents a different condition of the IV

Question 4

Sample

Answer 4

unknown
Small sample of Swiss school children in Geneva
Includes his own 3 children

Question 5

Material

Answer 5

counters

Question 6

Procedure

Answer 6

Each child tested individually and shown counters side by side . Each counter in each row lined up opposite the other = equally matched
The child then asked, “ is there the same number of counters in each row “

Experimenter then spread out counters on one row so they could see the transformational process. Row changed so it looks longer or shorter than the other row.
Child asked again “ is there the same number of counters in each row “

Question 7

Results

Answer 7

3-4 year old in pre operational stage tend to state more counters were in the transformed, longer row.

Few children near end of pre operational stage (5-6) were able to state number of counters remained same but not able to justify answer correctly.

Many children in concrete operational stage able to recognise that both rows contain same number of counters despite transformation of one row. Correctly justify

Question 8

Conclusion

Answer 8

Supports hypothesis

Question 9

Criticisms

Answer 9

• Piaget’s research has been criticised for having methodological problems. Children asked same question twice before and after transformation , they were showing demand characteristics as it confused them. Thought they had to give different answers because asked twice. Researchers Rose and Blank and Samuel and Bryant addressed this issue by replicating research by asking question post transformation and found that more younger children in pre-operational stage able to conserve number.

Artificial, as adult deliberately transformed counters in front of them making them think something changed because adult did something. McGarrigle and Donaldson addressed this issue by using a ‘naughty teddy bear’ come and mess up counters making one side shorter. When researcher asked question the second time, focus of transformation taken away from reader = more children in pre operational able to conserve

Study culturally bias, Swiss school children. ability to conserve could be effected by education and upbringings. Result not generalisable to all children in different countries. ( more detail )