Chapter 4 - Theories of Cognitive Devlopment

Question 1

Assumption 1 - Stage theory

Answer 1

• Cognition develops through series of distinct stages - not gradual - qualitatively different than each stage
• invariant - everyone goes through same order one at a time
• universally experienced -we all go through same thing
• individual differences - in regards to speed

Ex) qualitative vs quantitative
- tadpole to frog - qualitative
- small - big tadpole - quantative

Question 2

Assumption 2 - Domain-General

Answer 2

• all abilities are linked - contrasts with IP models - cognition is broad

Question 3

Assumption 3 - Children as active agents

Answer 3

• children as active agents
• constantly seek out stimulation in environments - curious and responsible for their own development

Question 4

Assumption 4 - Constructivist Approach

Answer 4

• children discover/construct all knowlege of the world through their actions and interactions with environment
• individual differences

Question 5

How do children develop (general, specific, and schemas)

Answer 5

Specific - general - devlopping ideas (assimilation)

General - specific - updating ideas (acomodation)

Shemas - cognitive structures that help to organize information

Question 6

Sensorimotor (0-2)

Answer 6

• learnt through motor and sensory actions - no words
• inability to differentiate self from the world
• Substages increase intentitonality, object knowlege and symbolic representation

Question 7

Sensorimotor time frame

Answer 7

first month - limited to reflexes

8 months - goal directed behavior, cause and effect, object permanence - objects do not disappear when out of sight

18-2 months - new behaviours w/o trial and error, symbolic representation, deferred imitation (evidence of explicit memory)

Question 8

Preoperational (2-7)

Answer 8

• defined by what kids CAN’T do
• difficulty mentally manipulating items in the world

Abstract mental observations - substance stays the same even if its properties change
Reversibility, conservation
Egocentrism - mountain task

Question 9

Concrete Operational

Answer 9

• ability to solve conservation and reversibility
• less influenced by outside appearence

Question 10

Formal Operational

Answer 10

• reason abstractly (algebra)
• heightened metacognition - ability to think about your own thoughts (diaries)
• generate ideas about things they have never before experienced (idealistic)

Question 11

Formal Operations (types of egocentrism)

Answer 11

Preoperational egocentrism - failure to distinguish between one point of view and someone elses

Adolecent egocentrism - over-thinking leads to self-absorption and self-consiousness making it difficult to understand someone else’s point of view