Piaget & Inhelder (1956) – Three Mountain Task

Cognitive development theory – Egocentrism in the preoperational stage

Research Method

Structured observation, experimental task

Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development

• Children pass through fixed stages.

• In the preoperational stage (~2–7 years), children are egocentric — they struggle to see perspectives other than their own.

Aim

To investigate whether children can see a situation from another person's point of view.

Sample

Children aged 4–12

Procedure

• Children were shown a 3D model of three mountains with different features.

• A doll was placed at different positions.

• Children were asked to choose pictures that showed the doll’s viewpoint.

Results

• Children under 7 tended to choose their own viewpoint.

• Older children (7+) selected the doll’s perspective, showing less egocentrism.

Conclusion

Young children are egocentric, supporting Piaget’s stage theory.

Strengths

• Controlled design → replicable and standardized.

• Theory-driven → illustrates Piaget’s stage theory clearly.

Limitations

• Unfamiliar task → may confuse young children (low ecological validity).

• May underestimate abilities → see Hughes (1975).