cognitive development : Piaget Flashcards
(27 cards)
What is genetic epistemology?
Piaget’s term for the study of the development of knowledge.
What does Piaget mean by constructivism?
The view that children actively construct knowledge through interaction with the environment.
How does Piaget integrate nature and nurture?
Through adaptation: biology (nature) opens possibilities, and experience (nurture) builds knowledge.
What are the two types of knowledge Piaget identifies?
Physical knowledge: from properties of objects
Logical-mathematical knowledge: from our actions upon objects
What are schemas in Piaget’s theory?
Organised patterns of behaviour or thought used to understand and respond to experiences.
What is assimilation?
Incorporating new information into existing schemas.
What is accommodation?
Modifying schemas in response to new information
What is equilibration?
A self-regulatory process of balancing assimilation and accommodation to maintain cognitive stability.
What is the principle of organisation?
The process of integrating individual schemas into coherent systems.
What is the hallmark of the sensorimotor stage? (0-2 years)
Moving from reflexive actions to symbolic thought (mental representation).
What is object permanence?
Understanding that objects exist even when they are not seen.
What abilities emerge with mental representation?
Deferred imitation, pretend play, and the beginnings of language.
What is a key limitation in the preoperational stage? (2-7 years)
Difficulty manipulating mental representations (lack of operations).
What is egocentrism in this stage? (preoperational)
Inability to see things from another person’s point of view.
What is conservation?
Understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape or appearance.
What is a major development in the concrete operational stage? (7-11 years)
Ability to perform logical operations on concrete objects.
What concepts are mastered in this stage?
Classification, compensation, and reversibility.
What is still limited in this stage?
Abstract reasoning.
What is the key feature of the formal operational stage? (12+ years)
Abstract and hypothetical thinking.
What cognitive skills develop in this stage?
Hypothesis testing, strategic planning, and considering multiple perspectives.
How does Piaget’s theory relate to moral development?
Emphasises limitations of reasoning based on one dimension; highlights conflict resolution and fairness.
How does Piaget’s theory relate to social development?
Concepts like egocentrism and decentration affect understanding of social rules and self-awareness.
How does Piaget’s theory inform education?
Promotes discovery learning and highlights the importance of cognitive conflict (disequilibration) in learning
What are some criticisms of Piaget’s stage theory?
Underestimates young children’s competence
Overstates consistency of thinking within stages
Lacks clarity on mechanisms of change
Underplays social and cultural influences
