3.4: Cognitive Development Across the Lifespan

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to cognitive development theories, including the stages proposed by Piaget and Vygotsky, as well as important cognitive concepts.

Schemas

Mental structures or frameworks for understanding the world that children develop via assimilation and accommodation.

Assimilation

The process of integrating new information into existing cognitive schemas without altering them.

Accommodation

The process of modifying existing cognitive schemas or creating new ones in response to new information.

Object Permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched, typically developing around 8-12 months of age.

Egocentrism

The tendency for children to view the world solely from their own perspective, often leading to misunderstandings about others' viewpoints.

Animism

The belief that inanimate objects have lifelike qualities, such as thoughts and feelings.

Conservation

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

Centration

The tendency to focus on one salient aspect of a situation and ignore others, limiting logical operations.

Decentration

The ability to consider multiple aspects of a situation simultaneously.

Reversibility

The understanding that objects can be changed and then returned back to their original form or condition.

Crystallized Intelligence

The accumulation of knowledge, facts, and skills acquired through life experiences and education.

Fluid Intelligence

The capacity to think logically and solve problems in novel situations, independent of acquired knowledge.

Dementia

A broad term for cognitive impairments that interfere with daily functioning, characterized by a decline in memory and reasoning.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

The range of tasks that a child can perform with help but cannot yet accomplish independently, emphasizing potential for cognitive growth.

Formal Operational Stage

The final stage in Piaget's theory where individuals develop abstract and logical thinking skills, occurring from age 12 through adulthood.

Concrete Operational Stage

The stage in Piaget's theory where children develop logical thinking about concrete events, typically from ages 7 to 11.

Preoperational Stage

The stage in Piaget’s theory where children engage in symbolic play but do not yet comprehend concrete logic, occurring roughly between ages 2 to 7.

Sensorimotor Stage

The first stage in Piaget's theory, occurring from birth to about 2 years, where infants learn through sensory experiences and motor activities.