Developmental Theory
Summary of the Contributions and Shortcomings
Of Piaget’s Theory.
This essay will be summarising the contributions and shortcomings of the Cognitive-Developmental theory and firstly explore the background and key concept’s of Piaget’s work behind child development. Secondly Piaget’s ideas about cognitive change and the four stages of development from birth which are the sensorimotor stage, the pre-operational stage, the concrete operational stage and the formal operational stage and how this impacts development. Thirdly the main weaknesses of the cognitive theory and why, and look at whether any studies/theories support or refute Piaget’s theory and if they are credible to apply to real life. Finally determining whether Piaget’s theory is applicable, and if it’s a strong theory overall.
Jean Piaget who was born in Switzerland in 1896 developed the cognitive theory which can be understood as the study of knowledge. This theory can also be described as ‘A comprehensive theory about the nature and development of human intelligence’ (Berk, 2009) According to Piaget, human infants do not start out as cognitive beings. Instead, out of their perceptual and motor activities, they build and refine psychological structures- in other words, mental “maps,” schemes, or networked concepts for understanding and responding to physical experiences within his or her environment. Piaget further attested that a child’s cognitive structure increases in sophistication with development, moving from a few innate reflexes such as crying and sucking to highly complex mental activities. What Piaget noticed from observation was that young children’s answers were qualitatively different to older children. This suggested to him that the younger children were not less knowledgeable but, instead, answered the questions differently than their older peers because they thought differently, so through years of observation he produced an explanation to how children learn.
Piaget argued
Of Piaget’s Theory.
This essay will be summarising the contributions and shortcomings of the Cognitive-Developmental theory and firstly explore the background and key concept’s of Piaget’s work behind child development. Secondly Piaget’s ideas about cognitive change and the four stages of development from birth which are the sensorimotor stage, the pre-operational stage, the concrete operational stage and the formal operational stage and how this impacts development. Thirdly the main weaknesses of the cognitive theory and why, and look at whether any studies/theories support or refute Piaget’s theory and if they are credible to apply to real life. Finally determining whether Piaget’s theory is applicable, and if it’s a strong theory overall.
Jean Piaget who was born in Switzerland in 1896 developed the cognitive theory which can be understood as the study of knowledge. This theory can also be described as ‘A comprehensive theory about the nature and development of human intelligence’ (Berk, 2009) According to Piaget, human infants do not start out as cognitive beings. Instead, out of their perceptual and motor activities, they build and refine psychological structures- in other words, mental “maps,” schemes, or networked concepts for understanding and responding to physical experiences within his or her environment. Piaget further attested that a child’s cognitive structure increases in sophistication with development, moving from a few innate reflexes such as crying and sucking to highly complex mental activities. What Piaget noticed from observation was that young children’s answers were qualitatively different to older children. This suggested to him that the younger children were not less knowledgeable but, instead, answered the questions differently than their older peers because they thought differently, so through years of observation he produced an explanation to how children learn.
Piaget argued
References: David Cohen (1983). Piaget Critique and Reassessment. Croom Helm: J.Chisholm. 30-32. John McShane (1991). Cognitive Development. Cambridge: Basil Blackwell. 21-25. Laura E.Berk (2009). Child Development. 8th ed. United States: Allyn and Bacon. 236-244. Samuel, J. & Bryant. (1984) Asking only one question in the conversation experiment. Journal of child psychology and Psychiatry, 25,315-18. Kendra Cherry. (2010). Support and Criticism of Piaget stage theory. Available: http://psychology.about.com/od/piagetstheory/p/piagetcriticism.htm. Last accessed 11 may 2010.