Piagets theory of development

Cognitive development definition

Way in which mental processes become more sophisticated and complex overtime

What does Piaget suggest

Learning takes place when we encounter new info + situations

What are the two process by which we adapt to new info

• Assimilation

• Accommodation

Define assimilation

• Adding new info into a existing schema

• E.g. a child recognising different breeds of dogs as a being a dog

Define accommodation

• New info is dramatically diff and cannot assimilate into existing schema so new schema forms

Define schema

A mental framework of expectations and beliefs that influence cognitive processing

A weakness of piagets theory of development

• Sample bias

• Conducted research in Switzerland with children who were from the middle class and had academic families

• Sample in unrepresentative of how diff children learn.Limits generalisability of findings

A strength is …

• Numerous studies to test piagets ideas

• His studies are easy to replicate

• High credibility and reliability

Write a 4 marker for Piagets theory of development

• Cognitive Development refers to how mental processes become complex & sophisticated overtime

• Piaget suggested that children learn differently compared to adults e.g. unable to think logically until brain is developed enough

• As children mature, they develop numerous, complex schemas (mental representations of world)

• Schemas develop further from assimilation (add new info into already existing schema) and accommodation ( d diff info does not fit existing schema so new schema is formed)