Developmental Psychology Lecture - Cognitive Development

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to cognitive development as discussed in the lecture.

Cognitive Development

The process of growth and change in intellectual capabilities that influence a person's behavior.

Constructivism

A theory that posits individuals construct knowledge through their experiences and interactions with the world.

Schema

A mental framework or building block of knowledge that helps children organize and interpret information.

Assimilation

The process of integrating new information into existing schemas.

Accommodation

The process of modifying existing schemas to fit new information.

Equilibrium

A state of cognitive balance where existing schemas are sufficient to explain new experiences.

Disequilibrium

A state of cognitive imbalance that arises when existing schemas cannot adequately explain new experiences.

The Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

The difference between what a learner can do without help and what they can do with help.

The More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)

An individual who has a higher skill level or understanding than the learner, providing guidance.

Scaffolding

The process of providing support to facilitate a learner's progress through progressively challenging tasks.

Sensorimotor Stage

The first stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development, from birth to 2 years, where knowledge is gained through sensory and motor activities.

Preoperational Stage

The second stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development, from ages 2 to 7, characterized by symbolic thought and egocentrism.

Concrete Operational Stage

The third stage in Piaget's theory, from ages 7 to 11, where children develop logical thought but struggle with abstract concepts.

Formal Operational Stage

The final stage in Piaget's theory, beginning around age 12, marked by the ability to think abstractly and systematically.

Egocentrism

The inability of a child to see a situation from another person's perspective.

Conservation

The understanding that certain properties of objects remain the same despite changes in their form or appearance.

A-Not-B Error

A phenomenon in infant cognitive development where a child will search for an object where they previously found it instead of where they last saw it hidden.

Animism

The belief that inanimate objects have feelings and intentions, typical in preoperational children.

Metacognition

The awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes.