Semester 2 Flashcards
Define cognition
The mental activity through which human beings acquire and process knowledge, including the functions of perception, learning, memory language acquisition, problem solving, thought and imagination
Define cognitive development
The gradual transition from an infant to adult mental capacity
Define development
The sequence and interplay of physical, psychological, cognitive and social changes that humans undergo as they grow older
What impacts human development?
Individual differences
Affected by social, emotional and environmental factors as well as development across the lifecourse
However, there are universal stages occurring among all normally developing individuals, regardless of culture and experiences
What does Piaget state about cognitive development?
Schemas are the building blocks of developmental change
What are schemas and their different classifications?
Schemas are mental structures created of organized memories, thoughts and strategies we use to interpret our world
Physical schemas are our initial, action based schemes developed via interactions with the world
Mental schemes are what develop as we begin to mentally interact with the world
What is assimilation?
Occurs when we incorporate new experiences into existing similar structures and behaviours
What is accommodation?
Our schemes change to accommodate new information learnt
What are the 4 stages of development (according to Piaget) and their age ranges?
Sensorimotor stage (Birth-2yo)
Preoperational Stage (2-7yo)
Concrete operational stage (7-11yo)
Formal operational stage (12+)
What are defining features of the sensorimotor stage?
- Substage is reflexive schemes stage (grasping, sucking, rooting, looking)
- Maturation of motor skills makes these ‘reflexes’ purposeful
- Attain object permanence
- Can imitate immediately (9mos) and remotely (18-24 mos)
What are the defining features of the preoperational stage?
- Beginning of symbolic thought shown by movement from imitation to imaginative play
- Egocentrism
- Appearance as reality
What are the defining features of the concrete operational stage?
- Thinking becomes logical, flexible and organized
- Develop conservation: knowing the physical properties of an object don’t change when nothing is added or removed
What are the defining features of the formal operational stage?
- Thinking becomes abstract
- Increased capacity for flexible/scientific thinking
- Egocentrism returns due to increased awareness of others’ perceptions
How does vygotsky believe children develop?
- They are a product of their culture
- Undergo internalisation: absorbng information from a sociocultural context
- Language important as the culture is embedded
What is Vygotsky’s theory of proximal development/scaffolding?
The zone of proximal development is the zone where children can do something with help or guidance from a peer or adult- bridges the gap between what they can and can’t do, so development should be focussed in this region
Scaffolding occurs when teacher/parent adjusts the amount/type of support to match child’s developmental level
How does experience and culture shape development?
- Difference in schooling and culture impacts concrete operational task performance
- Previous experience influences children’s understanding
- Formal operational stage not reached by many tribal societies as they’re more likely to think only about what they’ve experienced
What are the stages in health understanding and their age ranges?
Prelogical stage: 2-6yo
Concrete logical stage: 6-12yo
Formal logic stage: 12+
What are defining features of the prelogical stage?
- Phenomism: the relationship between cause and illness is ‘magical’
- Contagion: Understand need for temporal or spatial proximity to source for illness development
What are defining features of the concrete logical stage?
Contamination: Understand illnesses can have multiple symptoms and can be transmitted through physical sources
Internalization: View illness as developing by internalizing external contaminants
What are the defining features of the formal logic stage?
Physiologic: Cause is a non or malfunctioning organ or process
Psychophysiologic: acknowledge that additional contributors may be psychological
Why is it important to consider cognitive development level in health promotion?
It is important to aim ads towards those more affected by it.
Also important to get these messages across young as future illnesses may be prevented from developing.
How is cognitive development important in medical procedures?
Children with lower levels of development can misunderstand, making everything more frightening. Children's preparation depends on: - Developmental level - Type of procedure - Prior experience - Cultural/ethnic background - Family dynamic - Support systems
How can health professionals help prepare children of varying cognitive levels for treatment?
Introduce play specialists to help children understand their illnesses in a fun context Tours of major sites Videos about procedures involved Interactive books or iPads Puppet shows Medical plays with hospital equipment Books with popular figures Board games Art therapy Relaxation or coping techniques
Why have play specialist programmes been less successful than they could otherwise be?
The programmes are well evaluated by those who turn up
However, they are often poorly attended, and the same programme is offered to children 3-12. This encompasses a broad range of developmental stages, and is therefore unlikely to work for the majority