Piagets Theory Of Cognitive Development Flashcards
What is a schema ?
A schema is a mental framework that contains information on objects or ideas to help guide our behaviour. Helps to interpret new information and information created from previous experiences.
We add to schemas throughout our lifetime - becomes more sophisticated
What is adaptation ?
The overall process where you can adjust or create new schemas in order to adapt and respond effectively to the environment
EG adapting an old code breaking schema to the demand of new codes
What is assimilation ?
Process of taking in new information into already existing schemas. Using existing schemas to deal with new objects or situations
EG try and break a new puzzle with the old code. If works = reinforces schema if doesn’t = disequilibrium
What is Disequilibrium?
When our existing schema doesn’t make sense we enter a state of disequilibrium where we don’t understand and can’t make sense of information
EG code doesn’t work, get confused and think how to change the way the puzzle is solved
What is accommodation?
Creating a new schema when information cannot be assimilated in response to new experiences
EG figure out new code to cope with new schema and schema is altered
What is equilibrium?
When we encounter new information and it gets built into our understanding of a topic, either by assimilating or accommodating
EG understanding differences between puzzles and being able to respond to each other
What is lifespan learning?
Takes place throughout our lives from experiences in our environment. There are age limitations.
Eg egocentric in pre operational = can only assimilate. Accommodation when older
EVALUATION - PIAGET SCHEME THEORY - research support
P - There is research support for schemas being innate
Ev - infants prefer faces compared to other objects ans this is seen as young as 4 years old
Ex - must be innate as infants have little life experiences therefore valid biologically and environmentally
L- may not show schema but a preference for symmetry and therefore not innate
EVALUATION - PIAGET SCHEMA THEORY - criticised for ignoring language
P- Piaget has been criticised for ignoring language
Ev - language shapes our thinking processes eg eskimos have many worlds for snow
Ex - therefore underestimated power of language - children use non comparative words indicating that schemas may be constrained by linguistic ability
L - children use more complex language after 7 years therefore cognitive maturity is important for language
EVALUATION - PIAGET SCHEMA THEORY - real life implications
P - Piaget theory has real life implications
Ev - revolutionised education - children think differently and learn through self discovery
Ex - child in centre of learning - changed education policy
L - vygotsky disagreed - not all learning can be achieved through self discovery
