40 Questions
According to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, what did he believe intelligence to be?
An inborn, natural ability that develops over time
In Piaget's theory, what does the sensorimotor stage of cognitive development focus on?
Understanding the world through senses and actions
How many stages of cognitive development did Piaget propose in his theory?
Four
According to Piaget's theory, why do children construct knowledge in new ways at critical points during development?
To adapt to their environment
What was one of the key beliefs of Piaget regarding cognitive development stages in children?
Children pass through the stages in a consistent sequence
In Piaget's theory, what characterizes the formal operational stage of cognitive development?
Thinking logically about abstract concepts
What is the primary focus of moral reasoning at the conventional stage?
Conformity to societal expectations
According to Kohlberg, at what stage does an individual wish to win the approval of others?
Stage 3 (good boy—nice girl)
What is a characteristic of moral decisions at the postconventional level?
Acting based on personal principles
What did Carol Gilligan criticize about Kohlberg’s theory?
Failure to explore female experiences in moral development
At what level of moral reasoning do individuals recognize the possibility of changing the law to improve society?
Postconventional level
What is a key difference Gilligan highlighted between male and female moral development?
Males prioritize justice while females focus on caring
What do individuals at the conventional level believe determines what is right?
Authorities
What guides individuals at the postconventional level of moral reasoning?
Set of principles like social justice and human dignity
What does Kohlberg's theory seem to suggest about levels of moral reasoning?
Certain levels are better than others
At what level is morality based on a personal moral code?
Postconventional Level
What is a key characteristic of the concrete operational stage of cognitive development?
Understanding that objects can remain the same despite changes in their appearance
Which term refers to the belief that an adolescent's thoughts and feelings are unique to them, often leading to risk-taking behaviors?
Personal fable
What is the main difference between concrete operational thinking and formal operational thinking?
Thinking abstractly and hypothetically
What does the ability of conservation refer to in cognitive development?
Seeing objects as remaining the same despite changes in appearance
Which theorist posited a theory of adolescent egocentrism focusing on characteristics like the imaginary audience and the personal fable?
David Elkind
What is a limitation of Piaget's theory of cognitive development, as mentioned in the text?
Overestimation of cognitive competence in adolescents
During which stage of cognitive development do children begin to understand that events can be viewed from different perspectives?
Concrete operational stage
Which skill is necessary for locomotion and mobility and involves determining shapes and locating objects?
'Spatiality skills'
At what age range do children exhibit egocentrism and see themselves as the center of the universe?
2 to 6 years
Which stage of development is characterized by children using symbols like words and images to represent objects?
Preoperational
What milestone in cognitive development involves understanding that objects continue to exist even though they cannot always be seen?
Object permanence
During which stage of development do children begin to understand the concepts of reversibility and spatiality?
Concrete operational
What is a characteristic of children in the concrete operational stage according to Piaget?
Thinking is still literal and sometimes rigid
Which stage of development marks the emergence and mastery of language as one of its major hallmarks?
Preoperational
What do children in the sensorimotor stage learn through primarily?
Play and exploration
At which age range do children demonstrate deliberate, intentional behavior like moving a hand to find a hidden toy?
0 to 2 years
What condition, during the preoperational stage, involves attributing feelings and motives to objects?
Animism
What major concept do children at the concrete operational stage struggle with?
Conservation
At what age range does the conventional reasoning stage of moral development typically begin?
10 to 13 years
In the preconventional level of moral development, what is the primary motivation for individuals at stage 1?
Avoiding punishment
Which of the following best describes the instrumental orientation in the preconventional moral reasoning stage?
Acting on personal needs for personal gain
According to Kohlberg, why did he pose ethical dilemmas in his study?
To understand reasoning behind decisions
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Kohlberg's theory of moral development?
Stages can be skipped
What is the primary focus of Kohlberg's analysis in moral dilemmas like the story of Heinz?
Understanding reasoning used to justify decisions
Study Notes
Cognitive Developmental Stages According to Piaget
- Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years): Infants learn about the world through basic functions such as sucking, grasping, looking, and listening. They develop object permanence, which is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen.
- Infants demonstrate deliberate behavior, such as moving a parent's hand to find a hidden toy, and use their senses and motor skills to learn about themselves and their environment.
- They begin to learn that they are separate from their environment and that objects are separate and distinctive.
Preoperational Stage (2-6 years)
- Children use symbols to represent objects and learn to express themselves through language and symbolic gestures.
- They are egocentric, meaning they see themselves as the center of the universe and are unable to understand other points of view.
- They learn through play and their thinking is based on intuition, not logic.
- They may attribute feelings and motives to objects, a condition known as animism.
- They struggle with the concept of conservation, which is the understanding that a quantity stays the same even if the size or shape of the container changes.
Concrete Operational Stage (6-12 years)
- Children can think logically about concrete objects and can add and subtract.
- They understand concepts such as reversibility, spatiality, and conservation.
- They can classify, socialize, and apply rules.
- They begin to learn that there are benefits to pleasing others.
Formal Operational Stage (12 years to adulthood)
- Adolescents reason abstractly and think in hypothetical terms.
- They can test hypotheses, and expand and refine their thinking and reasoning skills.
- They can draw logical conclusions from a set of facts, organize their thoughts, and problem-solve.
- They develop a sense of self and identity.
Moral Development According to Kohlberg
- Preconventional Level (4-10 years): Moral development is based on external forces and controlled by rewards and punishments.
- Conventional Level (10-13 years to adulthood): Individuals follow the rules and listen to authority figures to win approval and avoid punishment.
- Postconventional Level (adolescence to adulthood): Individuals operate on a personal moral code and act according to their own principles and beliefs.
Critiques of Kohlberg's Theory
- Carol Gilligan criticized Kohlberg's theory for failing to explore female experiences in relation to moral development.
- Kohlberg's theory suggests that certain levels and stages of moral reasoning are better than others, and fails to describe how various moral values and principles might be viewed differently by individuals from diverse cultures and societies.
Explore Jean Piaget's theory on cognitive development and how children acquire knowledge, intellect, and cognition over time. Understand how intelligence is believed to be an inborn ability that develops as children grow and adapt to their environment.
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