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How it is the Structure and Function of Cognition Unfolds. Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development. How it is the Structure and Function of Cognition Unfolds. 1. Born in Switzerland. 2. Worked with some “heavyweights” in France.
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How it is the Structure and Function of Cognition Unfolds Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development
How it is the Structure and Function of Cognition Unfolds • 1. Born in Switzerland. • 2. Worked with some “heavyweights” in France. • 3. Concerned with manipulative behavior of children-- how they come to know things. • 4. Developed an inductively built theory. • 5. His influence here in the U.S.
Basic Elements to A Theory A Theory is Made Up of Component Parts Assumptions Concepts Structure The “givens of a theory accepted w/o proof The elements on which the theory is built What the theory “looks” like when it is graphically illustrated
Assumptions of Piaget’s Theory • Humans are biological organisms made up of reflexes and drives. • Humans are not passive in their development. • Humans a combination of genetic makeup and environmental influences. • Mental growth consists of two processes: (a) development and (b) learning
Structure and Function of Cognition: Explanatory Concepts • Schemata-- refers to cognitive structures. • Organization-- refers to the way schemata are organized and set up. • Adaptation-- refers to the invariant process of change in schemata. • Equilibrium-- refers to the cognitive balance that humans strive for through out development
Function of Cognition Organize Schemata Adapt Schemata Assimilation Accomodation
Piaget’s theory is a Stage Theoryof Cognitive Development Formal Operational Period Concrete Operational Period Pre-operational Period Sensorimotor Period
Plane of Thought Formal Operational Period Concrete Operational Period Pre-operational Period Sensorimotor Period Plane of Action
Sensorimotor Period • Substage 1: Reflexive or S-R Behavior • Substage 2: Primary Circular Reactions • Substage 3: Secondary Circular Reactions • Substage 4: Coordination of Secondary Schemata • Substage 5: Tertiary Circular Reactions • Substage 6: New means through Mental Combinations
Preoperational Period • Divided into 2 subperiods: The Preconceptual (2-4) and The Intuitive (4-7) • Major Characteristic: Symbolic Function evidenced by language, imaginative play, increase in deferred imitation. • Acceleration of language is regarded as an outcome of the development of symbolization, rather than the inverse.
Preoperational Thought is Characterized by the Following • Egocentrism • Centration • State Fixation • Unstable Equilibrium • Irreversibility • Transduscive Reasoning
Piaget’s Demonstration of Preoperational Thinking Errors: Conservation Tasks • Conservation of Volume • Conservation of Mass • Conservation of Number • Conservation of Length