Week 3 - Cognitive Development

Question 1

Infants divide objects into what 3 categories

Answer 1

inanimate objects, people, and other animals

Question 2

perceptual categorization

Answer 2

the grouping together of objects that have similar appearances;

Question 3

Jean Piaget collaborated with?

Answer 3

alfred binet (intelligence tests)

Question 4

who is jean Piaget

Answer 4

founding father of one of the most important theories on cognitive psych

father 3 kids

Swiss psychologist, but originally a biologist

Question 5

Jean Piaget known for

Answer 5

vivid descriptions of children’s behaviour and broad perspective on cognitive development

Question 6

Piagets theory fundamental assumption ONE

Answer 6

• children play an important role in acquiring their own knowledge - “the child as scientist” - constructivist

Question 7

Piagets theory fundamental assumption TWO

Answer 7

• children can learn independently

Question 8

Piagets theory fundamental assumption THREE

Answer 8

children are intrinsically motivated to learn

Question 9

Piaget depicted cognitive development as having what 2 processes

Answer 9

continuous & discontinuous

Question 10

Piaget believed that learning is shaped by two key processes

Answer 10

1. Assimilation
2. accommodation

Question 11

schema

Answer 11

A mental framework used to organize and interpret information (e.g., a schema for “horse”).

Question 12

assimilation

Answer 12

Integrating new information into an existing schema (e.g., calling a zebra a “horse” because of shared features).

Question 13

accommodation

Answer 13

Adjusting a schema to fit new information (e.g., recognizing that a zebra is different from a horse and creating a new schema for “zebra”).

Question 14

equilibration

Answer 14

The process of balancing assimilation and accommodation to resolve cognitive dissonance and reach a state of cognitive stability.

Question 15

Example of a continuous process

Answer 15

assimilation and accommodation

Question 16

Piagets theory 4 stages (discontinuous)

Answer 16

1. sensorimotor stage (0-2)
2. preoperational stage (2-7)
3. concrete operational stage (7-11)
4. formal operational stage (12+)

Question 17

Piagets theory sensorimotor stage (0-2 years)

Answer 17

discover the world through sensory and motor abilities

develop 5 senses

basic understanding of fundamental concepts

live in here and now

Question 18

Piagets theory sensorimotor stage (0-2 years) important challenges

Answer 18

Utilize reflexes for interaction with the environment

ex: putting objects into mouth

Question 19

Piagets theory - 8 months

Answer 19

Object permanence

Infants begin to understand that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen or heard (e.g. if a toy is hidden, they will look for it

Question 20

Piagets theory - 12 months

Answer 20

A-not-B error

Infants may search for an object where they last found it (A) rather than where it was last hidden (B), showing that their understanding of object permanence is still developing

Question 21

Piagets theory - 18-24 months

Answer 21

Deferred imitation

Children start to imitate behaviors they’ve observed at a later time, showing the development of memory and the ability to plan actions.

Question 22

piagets theory prep-operational stage (2-7 years)

Answer 22

Knowledge and experiences are expressed in language.

understanding of more complex concepts

difficulty juggling multiple dimensions - *Centraton and conservation

Question 23

piagets theory prep-operational stage (2-7 years)
*important milestones

Answer 23

symbolic representation (3-5 yo)

• ability to draw
• discussing with others (decline of EGOCENTRISM)

Question 24

what emerges at 3-5 years old

Answer 24

symbolic representation

child uses a symbol to represent something
ie: a broom is a horse (new meaning to the object)

Question 25

piagets theory concrete operational stage (7-12 years)

Answer 25

increase in logical reasoning -> expansion of knowledge about the world ability to handle multiple dimensions at once

Question 26

piagets theory concrete operational stage (7-12 years) challenge: ie, pademelon test

Answer 26

piagets theory prep-operational stage (2-7 years)

Question 27

Piagets theory formal operational stage (12+ years)

Answer 27

ability for abstract reasoning and systematic testing of hypothesis thinking about a better world - justice -morality

Question 28

At what stage did Piaget not believe s universal

Answer 28

formal stage

Question 29

inductive reasoning (concrete stage)

Answer 29

CONSERVATION Specific observations → General conclusions (probable, not certain) "The sun has risen in the east every day for my entire life." Conclusion: "The sun always rises in the east."

Question 30

deductive reasoning *

Answer 30

General premise → Specific conclusion (certain, if the premises are true). : "All mammals have a backbone." Premise: "Whales are mammals." Conclusion: "Whales have a backbone."

Question 31

David picks up a block and holds it against his ear while talking, pretending that he is on the phone. What stage of Piaget’s theory has David reached and which concept has he acquired? a)Sensorimotor stage, object permanence b)Formal operational stage, conservation concept c)Preoperational stage, symbolic representation d)Preoperational stage, conservation conce

Answer 31

c)Preoperational stage, symbolic representation

Question 32

Piagets criticism

Answer 32

little insight in underlying mechanisms used complex tests no attention for influence of social environment overestimation of consistency in children development

Question 33

1. little insight in underlying mechanisms

Answer 33

Piaget didn’t fully explain how children move through stages or the specific mechanisms behind cognitive changes.

Question 34

2. Used complex tests:

Answer 34

Some of Piaget's tasks (like conservation tasks) were difficult for young children to understand or perform, which may have led to an underestimation of their abilities at earlier stages.

Question 35

3. No attention to the influence of the social environment:

Answer 35

Piaget focused mainly on individual cognitive development and didn’t fully account for the role of social interactions, culture, or guidance from others (as later theorists like Vygotsky would emphasize).

Question 36

Overestimation of consistency in children’s development:

Answer 36

iaget believed children would pass through stages in a fixed order and with consistency, but research has shown that cognitive development can be more fluid, with children sometimes displaying abilities from different stages at once, depending on the context.

Question 37

Core knowledge theories - fundamental assumptions

Answer 37

1. children have innate knowledge that is evolutionary beneficial 2. children are active learners 3. four central cores

Question 38

four central cores (Elizabeth spelke)

Answer 38

- inanimate objects -intuitive understanding of the properties of physical objects (gravity) - minds of people and goal-directed actions interpret behaviours, have an intuitive understanding that people have goals - numbers ability to differentiate quantities - spatial geometry distance, direction, orientation

Question 39

nativists

Answer 39

knowledge is innate

Question 40

constructivists

Answer 40

learning mechanisms are innate, knowledge is acquired through experiences

Question 41

sociocultural theories fundamental assumptions

Answer 41

cognitive development is shaped by social interaction importance of cultural context guided participation (social scaffolding) intersubjectivity (joint attention)

Question 42

Cognitive development is shaped by social interaction:

Answer 42

Children learn and develop through interacting with others, like parents, teachers, and peers. These social interactions help children grow their thinking and skills.

Question 43

Importance of cultural context:

Answer 43

What children learn depends on the culture they are part of. The tools, language, and practices they are exposed to shape how they think and understand the world.

Question 44

Guided participation (social scaffolding):

Answer 44

This is when adults or more experienced individuals help children learn by providing support (like hints or steps). As the child gets better, the support is reduced, and the child can do things on their own.

Question 45

Intersubjectivity (joint attention):

Answer 45

two people focus on the same thing together. For example, a parent and child looking at a picture book and sharing attention to what's in the book. It helps children learn by creating a shared understanding between them and the adult.

Question 46

what did Vygotskys theory say

Answer 46

children thinking develops through social interactions, cultural influences and guided support form others

Question 47

Lev Vygotsky:

Answer 47

focused on social interaction, the role of language, and the Zone of Proximal Development in cognitive growth.

Question 48

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

Answer 48

concept refers to the range of tasks a child can perform with the help of a more knowledgeable person (like a teacher or parent). It’s the area between what a child can do alone and what they cannot do, even with help.

Question 49

Michael Tomasello:

Answer 49

highlighted the innate desire of children to learn and teach, and how culture shapes cognition.

Question 50

superordinate

Answer 50

broadest category ie, vehicle

Question 51

basic

Answer 51

more speciifc, used in everyday convo ie, car (type pf vehicle)

Question 52

subordinate

Answer 52

specific category ie, jeep (car type)

Question 53

animate: inanimate:

Answer 53

alive (humans) non living (cars)

Question 54

looking preference paradigm

Answer 54

technique where infants' attention is measured based on how long they look at certain objects or images.

Question 55

Which category level do children tend to form first?a)Superordinateb)Subordinatec)Basicd)Primary

Answer 55

basic - used in everyday life

Question 56

naive psychology

Answer 56

understanding yourself and others - desires - beliefs - actions

Question 57

naive psychology infancy

Answer 57

self conscious: knowing what your own body can and cannot do understanding others: goal-directed behaviour

Question 58

naive psychology aftter the first year

Answer 58

- sense of individuality - increase in joint attention - increase in intersubjectivity

Question 59

intersubjectivity

Answer 59

shared understanding or mutual awareness between two or more people during an interaction.

Question 60

theory of mind

Answer 60

insight in how people think and behave insight in intentions, beliefs, desires, and emotions that can cause influence behaviour

Question 61

theory of mind first step

Answer 61

association between desires and actions (approx. 12 months)

Question 62

theory of mind second step

Answer 62

association between eliefs and actions

Question 63

importance of play

Answer 63

having fun practice of important skills learning how others think

Question 64

play steps: 12-18 months

Answer 64

- pretend play - object substitution

Question 65

play steps: 2-3 years

Answer 65

sociodramatic play

Question 66

play steps: 6 years

Answer 66

sport board games

Question 67

play steps: 12-13 years

Answer 67

end of pretend play

Question 68

How do children learn according to Piaget's theory and core-knowledge and socio-cultural theories?

Answer 68

Piaget: Children learn through interaction with their environment, progressing through stages of cognitive development (e.g., sensorimotor, preoperational). Core-Knowledge Theory: Children are born with innate knowledge in specific areas (e.g., understanding objects, numbers). Sociocultural Theory: Children learn through social interactions, guided by adults or more skilled peers in a cultural context

Question 69

How do core-knowledge theories and sociocultural theories challenge Piaget's theory of cognitive development?

Answer 69

Core-Knowledge: Argues that children have innate cognitive abilities from the start, whereas Piaget believed children build knowledge through experience. Sociocultural: Focuses more on the role of social interactions and culture, whereas Piaget emphasized individual exploration and internal processes.

Question 70

What is meant by the term “active child” in Piaget’s, core-knowledge, and socio-cultural theories?

Answer 70

Children are active participants in their own development. They engage with and influence their environment, shaping their learning in Piaget’s, core-knowledge, and socio-cultural views, but the extent and how they do it differ in each theory

Question 71

How do children organize conceptual knowledge?

Answer 71

Children organize knowledge into categories (like animate vs inanimate). They build schemas (mental structures) and group objects based on shared characteristics, refining their understanding over time.

Question 72

How do children acquire knowledge about living things?

Answer 72

Children learn about living things through direct experience (like playing with animals), observation, and social interaction.

Question 73

What is essentialism?

Answer 73

Essentialism is the belief that certain categories (like animals or plants) have an inherent essence that makes them what they are, and this essence is passed down to their offspring.

Question 74

What is naive psychology?

Answer 74

Naive psychology refers to the understanding that children have beliefs about how people think, feel, and behave (e.g., recognizing that people have intentions, emotions, and beliefs).

Question 75

How do infants develop theory of mind?

Answer 75

Infants develop theory of mind (understanding that others have thoughts, beliefs, and intentions) through interaction with others, gradually learning that people can have different perspectives and knowledge.

Question 76

What is the nativist vs constructivist view?

Answer 76

Nativist View: Argues that children are born with innate knowledge or abilities . Constructivist View: Argues that children actively construct knowledge through interaction with their environment (e.g., Piaget’s theory).