Lecture 3: Constructivist Theories of Cognitive Development

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Questions and Answers

What is the role of environment according to environmentalists?

Environment plays a partial role

Environment has no role

Environment has a pre-eminent role (correct)

Environment plays a minimal role

What is the main argument of Piaget against pure-nurture and pure-nature based theories?

Environment has no role in development

Children are self-driven learners

Genes direct development

Children are passive in their own development (correct)

What is the characteristic of Piaget's stage theory?

Stages are based on learning only

Stages represent periods of continuous change

Stages represent periods of qualitative change (correct)

Stages are based on maturation only

What is the requirement for a child to advance to the next stage according to Piaget's theory?

Both maturation and learning are required Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of Piaget's particular form of interactionism?

Constructivism Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the child in their own development according to Piaget's theory?

The child is a self-driven learner Signup and view all the answers

What is cognition?

All mental activities such as thinking, problem solving, learning, remembering, and paying attention Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary way that children understand the world during the sensorimotor stage?

Through hands-on, direct experience Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Piaget's stage theory of development?

Cognitive development and the stages of development Signup and view all the answers

What is the key concept that children develop during the sensorimotor stage, according to Piaget?

Object permanence Signup and view all the answers

What are the two major cognitive development theories that have had the greatest impact on developmental research and educational practices?

Piaget's stage theory and Vygotsky's sociocultural theory Signup and view all the answers

Why do babies fail object permanence tests, according to Piaget?

Both a and b Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental question in Piaget's and the field of cognitive development's research?

What is the origin of knowledge and how is it acquired, used to reason, and how does it change with development? Signup and view all the answers

What is a criticism of Piaget's theory of object permanence?

Maybe babies appreciate more than Piaget claimed Signup and view all the answers

What is the distinction between 'Nature' and 'Nurture' in developmental theories?

Biological factors versus environmental factors Signup and view all the answers

What is the age range of the sensorimotor stage, according to Piaget?

0-2 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of environment in the 'Predeterminist' approach to development?

Minor role in shaping cognitive development Signup and view all the answers

Who is the theorist associated with attachment theory?

Bowlby Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of cognitive development theories?

The processes by which humans come to think and understand Signup and view all the answers

What does the theoretical approach to development depend on?

The theory of development Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why Jim wants an extra eye?

So he can still see with two eyes if one eye goes out Signup and view all the answers

What is a criticism of Piaget's theory of cognitive development?

It underestimates young children's abilities and overestimates adults Signup and view all the answers

What do contemporary constructivist theories share with Piaget's theory?

The emphasis on the child as active in their development Signup and view all the answers

What is a problem with Piaget's ideas about adolescent thought?

Why do many adults fail formal tests of logical reasoning Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why Tony wants an extra eye in his mouth?

So he can see what he is eating Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of Piaget's stage theory?

It progresses in distinct stages Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between contemporary constructivist theories and nativist theories?

The idea that children are born with innate knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why Vicky wants an extra eye?

So she can see you three times Signup and view all the answers

What are the two proposed drivers of cognitive development?

Acquisition of domain-specific knowledge, and maturation of domain-general executive function Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of A:B::C:D analogies?

They are used to test domain-specific knowledge in children Signup and view all the answers

What is the trajectory of the 'lantern' of consciousness?

It becomes a 'spotlight' as children develop Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of knowledge of the world in development?

It helps you make and enact plans Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of executive abilities in development?

To mentally juggle multiple things, and select what's important Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between development and theory of development?

Our theory of development determines how we explain development Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of self-regulation skills in development?

They are important to regulate one's own behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of contemporary constructivist theories of development?

They emphasize more room for cross-cultural variation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Theoretical Approaches

Environmentalists (behaviourists) believe the environment has a pre-eminent role in shaping development.
Interactionists argue that both nature and nurture play a part in development.

Piaget's Theory

Piaget's theory is a form of interactionism called "Constructivism".
Children are born with no knowledge, but construct it from their perception of the world and their actions on it.
Piaget argues that children are active learners and construct their own mental life, unlike pure-nurture and pure-nature theories.

Stage Theories

Piaget's theory is a stage theory that relies on both learning and maturation to advance the child to the next stage.
Stage theories propose that development occurs in discontinuous stages, with qualitative changes between stages.

Cognitive Development

Cognitive development refers to the processes by which humans come to think and understand.
Piaget's stage theory and Vygotsky's sociocultural theory are the two most influential cognitive development theories.

Piaget's Fundamental Questions

What is the origin of knowledge?
How is knowledge acquired, used to reason, and how does it change with development?

Sensorimotor Stage

The sensorimotor stage occurs from approximately 0-2 years.
During this stage, children develop object permanence, understanding that objects have a separate and permanent existence independent of their actions.

Development of Object Permanence

Object permanence develops through hands-on, direct experience.
Children initially fail object permanence tests due to limitations in appreciation, memory, and motor skills.

Formal Operations Stage

Problems with Piaget's ideas about adolescent thought include:
- Many adults fail formal tests of logical reasoning.
- Abstract thinkers often need concrete examples.

Criticisms of Piaget's Theory

Underestimation of young children's abilities and overestimation of adults.
Developmental sequences may not be universally applicable.

Contemporary Constructivist Theories

Share Piaget's emphasis on the child as active in their development, with no innate knowledge.
Emphasize development as continuous and with more room for cross-cultural variation.
Propose two drivers of cognitive development: domain-specific knowledge and maturation of domain-general executive function or self-regulation skills.

Domain-Specific Knowledge

Domain-specific knowledge is important for cognitive development.
Children as young as 3 years old can solve analogies with relations they know.

Executive Function

Executive function refers to the maturation of domain-general "executive function" or self-regulation skills.
These skills are critical for directing attention, mentally juggling multiple things, and selecting what's important.

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Description

This quiz covers the different theoretical approaches in psychology, including environmentalists, interactionists, and constructivism, as well as Piaget's theory of child development.