Cognitive Development and Piaget's Theory

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to Piaget's theory of cognitive development.

Piagetian Theory

A theory of cognitive development proposed by Jean Piaget, emphasizing how children construct their own understanding of the world.

Schemas

Organized structures of knowledge that help individuals categorize and interpret information.

Assimilation

The process of incorporating new experiences into existing schemas.

Accommodation

The adjustment of existing schemas to fit new experiences.

Equilibration

The process of restoring balance between assimilation and accommodation when faced with new information.

Sensorimotor Stage

The first stage of Piaget's theory, lasting from birth to approximately 2 years old, where infants learn through their senses and actions.

Preoperational Stage

The second stage of Piaget's theory, from ages 2 to 7 years, characterized by symbolic thinking and egocentrism.

Concrete Operational Stage

The third stage of Piaget's theory, from ages 7 to 11 years, where children begin to think logically about concrete events.

Formal Operational Stage

The fourth stage of Piaget's theory, beginning around age 11, when individuals develop the ability to think abstractly and logically.

Egocentrism

A characteristic of child development where children are unable to see things from perspectives other than their own.

Conservation

The understanding that quantity does not change even when its shape does.

Object Permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen.

Metacognition

Awareness and understanding of one’s own thought processes.

ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development)

Lev Vygotsky's concept that represents the range of tasks that a child can perform with assistance but not yet independently.

Scaffolding

A method of teaching that involves providing support to students to help them accomplish tasks they cannot complete independently.

Cultural Differences in Development

Variations in cognitive development influenced by cultural factors, as outlined by Vygotsky.

Intuitive Thought in Preoperational Stage

The stage where children begin forming ideas and express them but lack the logical consistency to understand the underlying principles.

Cognitive Development Stages

Distinct levels of cognitive abilities that children progress through according to Piaget's theory.

Substages of Sensorimotor Stage

The Sensorimotor Stage has six substages, each characterized by different cognitive abilities: 1. Reflexive Schemes (0-1 month); 2. Primary Circular Reactions (1-4 months); 3. Secondary Circular Reactions (4-8 months); 4. Coordination of Secondary Circular Reactions (8-12 months); 5. Tertiary Circular Reactions (12-18 months); 6. Mental Representation (18-24 months).

Primary Circular Reactions

The second substage of the Sensorimotor Stage (1-4 months) where infants engage in simple repetitive actions centered on their own body.

Secondary Circular Reactions

The third substage of the Sensorimotor Stage (4-8 months) where infants repeat actions that produce an effect in their environment.

Coordination of Secondary Circular Reactions

The fourth substage of the Sensorimotor Stage (8-12 months) where infants begin to coordinate two or more actions to achieve a goal.

Tertiary Circular Reactions

The fifth substage of the Sensorimotor Stage (12-18 months) where infants experiment with different actions to see the outcomes.

Mental Representation

The sixth substage of the Sensorimotor Stage (18-24 months) where infants develop the ability to create internal representations of objects and events.