Week Four Cognitive Development

Question 1

Define Vygotky’s sociocultural theory

Answer 1

Social interaction e.g. assistance from those more skilful supports learning/development of cognition

Question 2

Zone of proximal development

Answer 2

Space between tasks learner can perform alone vs tasks w/skilled partner

Question 3

Scaffolding

Answer 3

Instructional method where adult demonstrates process of problem solving

Question 4

Private speech

Answer 4

Talking to yoself

Question 5

Exam style question: Contrast the Vygotsky and Piaget’s perspectives on children’s cognitive development

Question 6

Which cognitive theorist contributed the most to the understanding of children’s minds

Answer 6

Piaget

Question 7

Define Piaget’s theory of cognitive development

Answer 7

Cognitive development involves changes in cognitive processes and abilities

Question 8

Key assumptions of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development

Answer 8

• Children not born with innate ideas about reality
• Children not filled with info by adults
• ## Cognitive development domain-general (constructivist)

Question 9

4 main stages of cognitive development

Answer 9

1. Sensorimotor (0-2 years)
2. Pre-operational (2-7 years)
3. Concrete operational (7-11 years)
4. Formal operational (11 years onwards)

Question 10

Crucial area of development for supporting independent discovery

Answer 10

Motor and perceptual

Question 11

Characteristics of Piaget’s schemes

Answer 11

Become more thought out and creative as stages progress

Question 12

First schemes

Answer 12

Sensorimotor action patterns

Question 13

6 sensorimotor stages

Answer 13

1. Reflex activity (birth-1 month)
2. Primary circular reactions (1-4 months)
3. Secondary circular reactions (4-8 months)
4. Coordination of secondary schemes (8-12 months)
5. Tertiary circular reactions (12-18 months)
6. Beginning of thought (18-24 months)

Question 14

Reflex activity

Answer 14

Active exercise and refinement of inborn reflexes

Question 15

Primary circular reactions

Answer 15

Repetition of interesting acts which start off as random but are sustained for pleasure purposes that centred around child’s own body

Question 16

Secondary circular reactions

Answer 16

Repetition of interesting acts on objects extending beyond child

Question 17

Coordination of secondary schemas

Answer 17

Combination of actions to solve simple problems or achieve goals

Question 18

Tertiary circular reactions

Answer 18

Intentional adaptions to specific situations

Question 19

Beginning of thought

Answer 19

Formation of mental representations of things that aren’t physically present - object permanence

Question 20

Three elements of building schemas

Answer 20

1. Adaptation
2. Assimilation
3. Accommodation

Question 21

First element of building schemas

Answer 21

Adaptation - building through direct interaction with environment

Question 22

Second element of building schemas

Answer 22

Assimilation - current schemes used to interpret world

Question 23

Third element of building schemas

Answer 23

Accommodation - creating new schemes and adjusting old ones to better fit environment

Question 24

Two things that drive assimilation and accommodation

Answer 24

Cognitive equilibrium and cognitive disequilibrium

Question 25

Define cognitive equilibrium

Answer 25

Steady, comfortable state in which children assimilate more than they accommodate

Question 26

Define cognitive disequilibrium

Answer 26

State of discomfort and rapid cognitive change in which children shift from assimilation to accommodation