piagets cognitive development theory

Question 1

what does the theory suggest?

Answer 1

suggests the processes are universal and invarient

Question 2

stage 1 (0-2yrs)

Answer 2

SENSORY-MOTOR
- explore using senses
- develop motor movement
- towards end develop object permanence.

Question 3

stage 2 (2-7yrs)

Answer 3

PRE-OPERATIONAL
- develop language
- mental representation of objects + events
- egocentric
- animism
- lack of reversibility

Question 4

stage 3 (7-11yrs)

Answer 4

CONCREATE-OPERATIONAL
- develop ability to decentrate
- develop ability to conserve
- develop linguistic humour
- cannot image world abstractly

Question 5

stage 4 (11+yrs)

Answer 5

FORMAL OPERATIONAL
- can form and test hypothesis
- understand rules of formal logic
- can solve abstract problems

Question 6

limitations

Answer 6

1. Too reductionist - all children go through the same stages based on maturation (ignores role of environment - parents, teachers, peers etc.)
2. Saying stages are universal & invariant is over simplistic (e.g. in some countries children learn to conserve much earlier due to survival).