UNIT 2: COGNITIVE DEVELOMENT

CHAPTERS 6 & 7Reading: Responsible for all the

sections of both chapters

Chapter 6

Piaget’s theoryAdolescent cognition – David ElkindVygotsky’s socio-cultural theoryBeyond Piaget – Lifespan models of

cognition

Jean Piaget Lev Vygotsky

Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development

The origins of the theoryThe concept of a schemaMechanisms of change1. assimilation2. accommodation3. equilibration

Sensorimotor Period: Birth to 2 yrs.

6 substages1. Reflexes- 1st mo. of life2. Primary circular reactions- 1 – 4 mos.3. Secondary circular reactions- 4 – 8 mos.4. Coordination of secondary schemas- 8 –

12 mos.5. Tertiary circular reactions- 12 – 18 mos.6. Mental combinations- 18 – 24 mos.

Some important skills of the sensorimotor period

Object permanence1. No search2. Search for partially hidden object3. Search in first hiding place of object

(Perseveration or A not B error)4. Search only if the hiding of the object in

a particular location is witnessed5. Full object permanence

“I can’t see you. Therefore, you can’t see me!”

Causality – tested by Violations of Expectations method (see text)

Anticipation – the bowling ball study

Pre-operational period: 2 – 7 yrs.

The concept of operationsThe symbolic function substage- 2 – 4

yrs.1. Symbolic thought2. Egocentrism3. AnimismThe intuitive thought substage- 4 – 7

yrs.1. Centration 3. Lack of2. Lack of conversation

reversibility

Concrete Operational Period- 7 – 11 yrs.

The concept of Horizontal decalage

Major developments of the stage:1. Conservation2. Classification3. Seriation4. Transivity

Formal Operational periodemerges at 11 – 15 yrs.

Abstract reasoning – thinking about concepts

Idealistic reasoning – thinking about all the possibilities

Hypothetical-deductive reasoning – thinking scientifically; applying the scientific method to problem solving

David Elkind – Adolescent Cognition

Elkind’s discussion of adolescent thought processes focuses on the limited formal skills of the adolescent combined with even lesser developed emotional skills.

Upon observation, this leads to an immaturity of thought that is largely unique to and very common during adolescence.

David Elkind

Immature aspects of adolescent thought processesAdolescent egocentrism1. Imaginary audience2. Personal fable Argumentativeness Indecisiveness Finding fault with authority Apparent hypocrisy

Piaget’s theory in perspective

The field of Developmental Psychology owes to Piaget the current understanding of children as active and constructive thinkers who act upon and adapt to their worlds.

However, Piaget’s theory has also been modified by contemporary cognitive psychologists in response to newer research findings.

Vygotsky’s theory of cognitive development

Vygotsky viewed children as social creatures who benefited from interacting with the others in their environments.

Vygotsky proposed 2 concepts through which he explains the development of cognition.

1. The zone of proximal development (ZPD)

2. Scaffolding

Illustrations of the ZPD

The role of language

Piaget vs. VygotskyAccording to Piaget, children’s self-talk is a

sign of their egocentrism and immaturity.

Vygotsky views self-talk (private speech) as having a significant contribution to thinking and reasoning. He says that

private speech helps children to plan, to guide, and to monitor their behaviors.

Post – formal thought?

Piaget claims that formal operational reasoning is the highest level of reasoning that can be achieved. While adults may have more knowledge than adolescents said Piaget, the quality of their reasoning is similar.

Contemporary research findings indicate that many adults do not use formal reasoning, especially in relation to everyday problems and situations they encounter.

Components of post-formal thought

ReflectiveRelativisticContextualProvisionalRealistic / PragmaticSubjective /Emotional