Theories of Cognitive Development: Nativism vs. Empiricism

Cognitive Development

Study of changes in mental abilities over time.

Nativism

Focus on genetic and innate explanations of behavior.

Empiricism

Behavior learned from environment via experiences.

Nature vs. Nurture

Debate on innate knowledge versus learned behavior.

Biological Approach

Explains behavior through genetic and hormonal factors.

Environmental Approach

Explains behavior through environmental conditioning and feedback.

Language Acquisition Device (LAD)

Innate mechanism for learning language, proposed by Chomsky.

Constructivism

Theory that knowledge is constructed through experiences.

Tabula Rasa

Concept of infants as blank slates at birth.

Poverty of the Stimulus

Argument for innate grammar knowledge in children.

Jean Piaget

Proposed theory of cognitive development stages.

Cognitive Revolution

Shift from behaviorism to cognitive psychology in the 1950s.

Innate Knowledge

Knowledge present at birth, according to nativists.

Learning via Contiguity

Learning based on associations between events.

Reward/Punishment Processes

Learning through consequences of behavior.

Critical Period

Time frame when certain skills are most easily learned.

Developmental Psychology

Study of psychological changes throughout the lifespan.

Theoretical Implications

Understanding knowledge acquisition aids cognitive theories.

Practical Implications

Insights into learning can optimize educational approaches.

Cognitive Capacities

Mental abilities that develop and change over time.

Representational Innateness

Innate structures for understanding language and concepts.

Structural Innateness

Innate frameworks that facilitate knowledge acquisition.

Piaget's Constructivist Theory

Learners construct knowledge through experiences.

Empiricist Approach

Focus on observable behaviors and environmental impact.

Behaviorism

Learning theory emphasizing conditioning and environment.

Little Albert Experiment

Conditioned fear response to small furry animals.

Assimilation

Incorporating new information into existing schemas.

Accommodation

Altering schemas based on new experiences.

Schema

Units of knowledge organizing information and responses.

Constructivism

Focus on active knowledge construction by learners.

Conditioning

Learning process through reinforcement or punishment.

Four Stages of Development

Sequential phases in knowledge construction by learners.

Index Card Analogy

Schemas are like index cards for organizing knowledge.

Critical Learning Processes

Assimilation and accommodation are essential for learning.

Schema Expansion

Adding new information enhances existing knowledge structures.

Environmental Influence

Behaviorism emphasizes the role of surroundings in learning.

Reflective Learning

Building knowledge through reflection on experiences.

New Schema Formation

Creating new knowledge structures from novel experiences.

Knowledge Representation

Schemas represent concepts, persons, and information.

Learning Challenges

Accommodation occurs when new information contradicts existing schemas.

Experience Reflection

Learners build representations through reflecting on experiences.

Construct Knowledge

Active process of building understanding from experiences.

Behavioral Conditioning

Learning through associations between stimuli and responses.

Schema Organization

Schemas help organize and respond to stimuli effectively.

Assimilation

Integrating new info into existing schemas.

Accommodation

Modifying schemas to incorporate new information.

Sensorimotor Stage

0-2 years; explores through sensory and motor contact.

Object Permanence

Understanding objects exist even when unseen.

Separation Anxiety

Distress when separated from primary caregiver.

Preoperational Stage

2-6 years; symbolic thinking without logical reasoning.

Egocentrism

Inability to see perspectives other than one's own.

Concrete Operational Stage

7-12 years; logical thinking about concrete objects.

Formal Operational Stage

12+ years; abstract reasoning and hypothetical thinking.

Piaget's Theory

Cognitive development occurs in four distinct stages.

Vygotsky's Theory

Learning through cultural transmission and social interaction.

Cultural Transmission

Learning tools and knowledge from cultural context.

Collaboration

Working together to enhance learning experiences.

Peer Interaction

Importance of social engagement in learning.

Qualitative Transformation

Development characterized by distinct cognitive stages.

Cognitive Competence

Ability to understand and process information.

Research Validity

Accuracy and reliability of research findings.

Teaching Methods

Strategies used to convey knowledge and skills.

Expert Models

Learning by observing knowledgeable individuals.

Cultural Settings

Influence of environment on cognitive development.

Developmental Variability

Differences in cognitive development among children.

Distortion of Information

Altering new info to fit existing schemas.