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Cognitive Development - Piaget I. What is cognitive development? A. Definition of cognition B. The structural-functional approach C. The information processing approach II. Piaget’s theory of cognitive development A. Background B. Piaget’s theory 1. Cognitive equilibrium 2. Cognitive schemata a. Behavioral (sensorimotor) schemata b. Symbolic schemata c. Operational schemata 3. How do schema develop? a. Organization b. Adaptation: Assimilation and accomodation III. Piaget’s stages of cognitive development A. Properties of stages 1. Invariant developmental sequences 2. Hierarchical relations among stages B. Sensorimotor intgelligence 1. The six stages of sensorimotor intelligence 2. Imitation and object permanence C. Preoperational period 1. Preconceptual period a. Emergence of symbolic function b. Animism, transductive reasoning, and egocentrism 2. Intuitive period D. Concrete operational period E. Formal operational period Definition of cognition Cognition: • Refers to act of knowing • Concerned with the mental processes by which knowledge is acquired, elaborated, stored, and retrieved • Attention to the world • Perception of the world • Learning, thinking, remembering, and so on Cognitive development: • Changes that occur in mental skills and abilities over time Perspectives on Cognitive Development The structural-functional approach: • Emphasizes the biological functions and environmental influences that promote developmental changes in the organization and the structure of intelligence The information-processing approach: • Focuses on the growth of specific cognitive processing mechanisms, such as perception, attention, memory, and so on Piaget’s Theory Cognitive equilibrium: • What is intelligence? • Basic life force that helps one adapt to environment • Type of equilibrium towards which all cognitive structures tend • Produce balanced relation between through processes and environment • Balanced relation called “cognitive equilibrium” • Children as constructivists Cognitive schema (or schemata): • Cognitive structure • Pattern of thought or action • Behavioral (sensorimotor) schemas • Organized pattern of behavivor used to represent objects of experience • First psychological structures to appear • Symbolic schemas • Ability to think about objects/events without actually having them present • Operational schemas • Cognitive operations applied to objects/events Piaget’s Theory, con’t How do schema change? • Organization • Combine existing schemas into new schema • Produces more complex intellectual structures • Adaptation • Two complementary processes: Assimilation and accomodation • Assimilation • The process by which children attempt to interpret new experiences in relation to previous experiences • Fit new information with existing schemas • Accomodation • The process by which children modify their existing cognitive structures to account for new experiences • Existing schemas undergo change • Two processes always occur together • End result is cognitive equilibrium Piaget’s Stages of Cognitive Development Properties of stage theories: • Invariant developmental sequence • Constant, unchanging order • No skipping of stages • Indicates strong maturational component • Hierarchical relations among stages • Structures of earlier stages not lost • Incorporated into achievements of later stages Stages of development: • Period of sensorimotor intelligence (Birth – 2 years) • Preoperational period (2 – 7 years) • Concrete operational period (7 – 11 years) • Formal operational period (11 years on) Period of Sensorimotor Intelligence Substages of the sensorimotor period: • Stage 1: The use of reflexes (0 – 1 mo) • Stage 2: Primary circular reactions (1 – 4 mos) • Stage 3: Secondary circular reactions (4 – 8 mos) • Stage 4: Coordination of secondary schemas (8 – 12 mos) • Stage 5: Tertiary circular reactions (12 – 18 mos) • Stage 6: Invention of new means through mental combinations (18 – 24 mos) Specific developmental abilities: • Imitation • Object permanence Preoperational Period Preconceptual period (2 – 4 years): • Symbolic function and pretend play • Animism • Transductive reasoning • Egocentrism Intuitive period (4 – 7 years): • Conservation problems • Characteristic to defining shift The Characteristic to Defining Shift Uncle -C / +D Same age as Dad Gives presents on birthday Visits on weekends Not related 2 years old Your father’s brother -C / +D +C / -D Frequency of Acceptance +C / -D Kindergarten Grade 2 School Age Grade 4