unit 3 Flashcards
(30 cards)
- According to Piaget, what is the stage of cognitive development that begins in adolescence?
Answer: The formal operational stage
- What is the key characteristic of the formal operational stage?
Answer: Adolescents develop the capacity for abstract, systematic, scientific thinking.
- How do formal operational thinkers differ from concrete operational thinkers?
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Answer: Concrete operational children can “operate on reality” while formal operational adolescents can “operate on operations,” meaning they can think about abstract concepts and hypothetical situations without needing concrete objects or events
- What is hypothetical-deductive reasoning?
Answer: It is the ability to start with a hypothesis or prediction about variables that might affect an outcome, deduce logical and testable inferences from the hypothesis, and then systematically isolate and combine variables to see which inferences are confirmed in the real world.
- How was hypothetical-deductive reasoning tested by Piaget?
Answer: Piaget used the pendulum problem, where adolescents had to figure out which factor (length of string, weight of the object, height the object is raised, or force applied) affects the speed of a pendulum swing. Formal operational adolescents were able to isolate each variable and test them systematically, demonstrating hypothetical-deductive reasoning.
- How does deductive reasoning differ from inductive reasoning?
- What are some criticisms of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development?
Answer:
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Individual differences in the age at which children progress through the stages are not fully accounted for.
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Piaget sometimes failed to distinguish between competence (the ability to do something) and performance (actually doing it), assuming a lack of competence if a child couldn’t perform a task.
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Not all individuals reach formal operations, and even well-educated adults can struggle with formal operational tasks.
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People are more likely to think abstractly on tasks where they have had extensive guidance and practice. - What information-processing changes occur during adolescence?
Answer: Several components of executive function improve:
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Working memory increases, allowing adolescents to hold more information in mind at once and combine it in more complex ways.
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Inhibition improves, leading to gains in attention and reasoning.
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Attention becomes more selective and flexible.
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Planning on complex tasks improves.
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Strategies become more effective.
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Knowledge increases.
Answer: Deductive reasoning starts with an abstract idea and uses logic to draw specific conclusions. Inductive reasoning starts with specific experiences or facts and uses them to reach a general conclusion.
- What is propositional thought?
Answer: It is the ability to evaluate the logic of propositions (verbal statements) without referring to real-world circumstances. Adolescents can determine if a statement is logically true or false even if it contradicts reality, while younger children rely on concrete evidence.
- How was propositional thought studied in adolescents?
Answer: Researchers showed adolescents a pile of poker chips and asked them to evaluate the truth of statements like “Either the chip in my hand is green or it is not green” and “The chip in my hand is green and it is not green,” with the chip either hidden or visible. Adolescents were able to understand the logic of the statements regardless of the chip’s color, demonstrating propositional thought.
- What are some criticisms of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development?
Answer:
● Individual differences in the age at which children progress through the stages are not fully accounted for.
● Piaget sometimes failed to distinguish between competence (the ability to do something) and performance (actually doing it), assuming a lack of competence if a child couldn’t perform a task.
● Not all individuals reach formal operations, and even well-educated adults can struggle with formal operational tasks.
● People are more likely to think abstractly on tasks where they have had extensive guidance and practice.
- What information-processing changes occur during adolescence?
Answer: Several components of executive function improve:
● Working memory increases, allowing adolescents to hold more information in mind at once and combine it in more complex ways.
● Inhibition improves, leading to gains in attention and reasoning.
● Attention becomes more selective and flexible.
● Planning on complex tasks improves.
● Strategies become more effective.
● Knowledge increases.
- How do adolescent cognitive changes affect decision-making?
Answer: While puberty triggers changes in the brain’s emotional/social network faster than the prefrontal cognitive-control network, adolescents also make less effective decisions than adults even in unemotional situations. They may not fully evaluate alternatives, rely on intuitive judgments, lack experience to consider pros and cons, and underestimate risks after engaging in risky behavior without negative consequences.
- What are some consequences of adolescent cognitive changes?
Answer:
● Egocentrism: Adolescents become more self-focused and have difficulty understanding other points of view.
● Personal Fable: They develop an inflated opinion of their own importance and believe their experiences are unique.
● Invincibility Fable: They feel invulnerable to harm, leading to risky behaviors.
● Imaginary Audience: They believe they are constantly being observed and judged by others, leading to self-consciousness.
● Idealism: They develop strong ideals about the world and may become critical of adults’ perceived lack of idealism.
- What are the two modes of thinking recognized by most cognitive psychologists?
Answer: Intuitive and Analytic
- Describe the characteristics of intuitive thought.
Answer: Arises from emotions or hunches, is influenced by past experiences and cultural assumptions, feels “right,” and is quick and powerful.
- Describe the characteristics of analytic thought.
Answer: Results from systematic analysis, ranking of pros and cons, consideration of risks and consequences, reliance on logic and rationality.
- How do these two modes of thinking relate to adolescent brain development?
Answer: The discrepancy between the maturation of the limbic system (emotions) and the prefrontal cortex (planning, control) reflects this duality. Adolescents tend to be intuitive thinkers due to the earlier maturation of the limbic system.
- How do intuitive and analytic thinking interact in adolescents?
Answer: Adolescents can use both modes but may favor intuitive thinking due to faster reaction times and the influence of emotions. Social context and training in statistics can also impact their thinking.
- Why do adolescents often make decisions based on intuition rather than analysis?
Answer: Their brains respond quickly and strongly to social rejection, leading them to follow impulses for social approval.
- What are the four stages of cognitive development according to Piaget?
Answer:
1. Sensorimotor intelligence (birth to 2 years)
2. Preoperational thought (2 to 7 years)
3. Concrete operational (7 to 11 years)
4. Formal operational (12 and up)
- What is the main development during the sensorimotor intelligence stage?
Answer: Understanding that objects and events exist independently of one’s own actions, including the concept of object permanence (knowing that an object still exists even when hidden).
- What characterizes preoperational thought?
Answer: Thinking at a symbolic level but not yet using cognitive operations. Children in this stage cannot use logic or transform, combine, or separate ideas. Language and make-believe play develop.
- What is a major turning point in cognitive development during the concrete operational stage?
Answer: The development of organized and rational thinking, marking the beginning of logical or operational thought. However, children in this stage can only apply logic to physical objects and not abstract or hypothetical concepts.
- What ability do adolescents gain in the formal operational stage that allows them to think abstractly?
Answer: The ability to manipulate ideas in their head without dependence on concrete manipulation.
- What are some examples of activities that require abstract thought?
Answer: Mathematical calculations, creative thinking, abstract reasoning, and imagining the outcome of actions.
