Jean Piaget's Stages of Cognitive Development

Cognitive Development

Process of how individuals think and understand.

Jean Piaget

Swiss psychologist known for cognitive development theory.

Sensorimotor Stage

First stage (0-2 years) focused on sensory experiences.

Object Permanence

Understanding that objects exist when out of sight.

Preoperational Stage

Second stage (2-7 years) with egocentric thinking.

Egocentrism

Inability to see perspectives other than one's own.

Concrete Operational Stage

Third stage (7-11 years) with logical thinking development.

Formal Operational Stage

Fourth stage (12+ years) with abstract thinking capabilities.

Trial-and-Error Learning

Learning through repeated attempts and mistakes.

Symbolic Thinking

Using symbols to represent real-world items.

Animism

Belief that inanimate objects have feelings.

Lack of Conservation

Inability to understand quantity remains unchanged.

Reversibility

Ability to mentally reverse actions or operations.

Classification

Grouping objects based on shared characteristics.

Seriation

Arranging objects in a logical sequence.

Decentering

Considering multiple aspects of a situation.

Abstract Thinking

Ability to think about concepts not physically present.

Hypothetical-Deductive Reasoning

Formulating and testing hypotheses systematically.

Metacognition

Awareness and reflection on one's own thinking.

Moral Reasoning

Critical thinking about moral and social issues.

Cognitive Development Criticism

Some abilities emerge earlier than Piaget suggested.

Cultural Influence

Cultural factors affect cognitive growth and development.

Foundational Theory

Piaget's theory is essential for understanding cognitive evolution.