Unit 2 Paiget Theory Flashcards
Sensorimotor stage (birth to 2 years).
Begins with basic reflexes and culminates with purposeful movement, spatial abilities, and hand-eye coordination.
By approximately 9 months, object permanence is achieved, and the child can conceptualize objects that are no longer visible. This explains the delight of the game of peek-a-boo as an emerging skill, as the child begins to anticipate the face hidden behind the hands.
Preoperational stage (2 to 7 years).
Operations is a term used to describe thinking about objects. Children are not yet able to think abstractly or generalize qualities in the absence of specific objects, but rather think in a concrete fashion. Egocentric thinking is demonstrated through a tendency to expect others to view the world as they do. They are also unable to conserve mass, volume, or number. An example of this inability is thinking that a tall, thin glass holds more liquid than a short, wide glass.
Concrete operational stage (7 to 11 years).
Logical thought appears and abstract problem solving is possible.
The child is able to see a situation from another’s point of view and can take into account a variety of solutions to a problem.
Conservation is possible. For example, two small cups hold an amount of liquid equal to a tall glass.
They are able to classify based on discrete characteristics, order objects in a pattern, and understand the concept of reversibility.
Formal operational stage (11 years to adulthood).
Conceptual reasoning commences at approximately the same time as does puberty. At this stage, the child’s basic abilities to think abstractly and problem solve mirror those of an adult.
