Unit 3.4: Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan

Sensorimotor Stage

The first stage of Piaget’s theory (0–2 years) where babies learn through senses and actions.

Object Permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight.

Preoperational Stage

The stage (2–7 years) where children use mental symbols and imagination but struggle with logic.

Mental Symbols

Internal images used to represent objects and experiences.

Pretend Play

Play where children use imagination to act out situations or roles.

Conservation

The understanding that quantity stays the same even if appearance changes.

Reversibility

The ability to mentally reverse an action.

Animism

The belief that objects have feelings and thoughts.

Egocentrism

The difficulty in seeing things from another person’s perspective.

Theory of Mind

The understanding that others have thoughts, feelings, and perspectives different from one’s own.

Concrete Operational Stage

The stage (7–11 years) where children think logically about concrete events.

Systematic Thinking

Thinking in an organized way to solve problems.

Formal Operational Stage

The stage (12+ years) where people can think logically about abstract ideas.

Abstract Thinking

The ability to think about concepts and ideas that are not physically present.

Hypothetical Thinking

The ability to imagine possibilities and “what if” scenarios.

Scaffolding (Vygotsky)

Support given by a teacher or peer to help a learner achieve more than they could alone.

Sociocultural Contexts

How social interactions and culture influence development.

Zone of Proximal Development

Tasks a learner can do with help but not yet alone.

Crystallized Intelligence

Knowledge and skills gained through experience and education.

Fluid Intelligence

The ability to solve new problems and think logically without prior knowledge.

Dementia

A decline in mental abilities, such as memory, thinking, and reasoning, often with age.