Piaget

Question 1

Four main factors of paiget’s four-stage theory

Answer 1

• sequential order
• each stage is cognitively more sophisticated than the last and is the result of biological maturation of the brain and active interaction with the environment
• universal in nature: all of us pass through the stages in the same order
• each stage is different from the other

Question 2

Stages of Piaget’s theory

Answer 2

1. Sensorymotor
2. Preoperational
3. Concrete Operational
4. Formal Operational

Question 3

Sensorimotor Intelligence Stage (0-2 years)

Answer 3

Newborn babies rely on innate reflexes and have limited knowledge
* 4-months: will not look for a toy if hidden under cloth (“out of sight, out of mind”)
* 8-12 months: will keep looking for the object in the place they found it last time - happens even if child watches someone hide it in a new place
* 18-24 months: toddlers possess fully developed object permanence

Question 4

Sensorimotor definition

Answer 4

Learning through movements and sensations - knowledge comes from the senses
* gradually learns what different objects are like
* initially movements are not purposeful - when gained more control, learn specific movements have specific consequences

Question 5

Preoperational Thought Stage (2-7 years)

Answer 5

Child learns to speak
* capable of thinking in symbolic terms: can form ideas but can only focus on one aspect of an object or situation at a time
* cannot transfer knowledge from one situation to another
* child’s understanding of world is based on egocentrism - can only see the world from their own viewpoint

Question 6

Concerete Operational Thought (7-12 years)

Answer 6

When children begin formal schooling
* start to use some rules of logic in problem-solving, but only when dealing with concrete tasks
* problem-solving generally random and not systematic
* children can have conversation developed but are still limited in their thinking

Question 7

Formal Operations (from age 12)

Answer 7

By the end of this stage, adolescents can use formal, abstract logic
* can mentally manipulate ideas, concepts or numbers and they can think hypothetically
* can think about what could happen or what would never happen
* approach problem-solving in a systematic way
* depends on education but will usually be achieved by 20

Question 8

Strengths of Piaget’s theory (name 3)

Answer 8

• pioneer study, first of its kind: theory that cognitive changes are driven by biological maturation is widely accepted and supported
• research consistently supports the progression of cognitive development as outlined by Piaget
• saw children as active learners rather than passive processors
• Piaget has** had a major effect on education**
• theory has cross-cultural support

Question 9

Limitations of Piaget’s theory (name 3)

Answer 9

• sampling bias: original research was on his own children or children of well-educated professionals of high socioeconomic status - not representative hence difficult to generalise
• original studies used tasks that were too language dependent and were not age-appropriate for the children
• theory is descriptive rather than explanatory
• ages at which the stages begin has been criticised - evidence shows children enter stages earlier than Piaget predicted
• post Piagetian theorists have argued that formal operations is not a sufficient description of a lot of adult thinking

Question 10

Application of Piaget

Answer 10

Have been applied successfully in education
* idea of teaching children “developmentally appropriate” skills is fundamental part of teacher education
* understanding skills alignment with age, and skill acquired over time are important applications of Piagetian theory

Question 11

Reliability of Piaget

Answer 11

Piaget’s own research has proven to be highly reliable