Piaget: Stages

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Piagets Theory of Cognitive Development
Describe intellectual development according to
Piaget, including a discussion of both the
process and the stages of development. Note
behavioral characteristics of each stage,
describing how assimilation and accommodation are
exemplified for each stage of development.
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Piagets Theory of Cognitive Development
Describe specific actions that teachers can take
to incorporate Piaget's theory into the
classroom. Compare Piaget's theory to Vygotsky's
sociohistorical theory of cognitive development.
Developed by W. Huitt, 1999
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Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget identified four stages in cognitive
development
In this period (which has 6 substages),
intelligence is demonstrated through motor
activity without the use of symbols.
Sensorimotor stage (Infancy)
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Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget identified four stages in cognitive
development
Knowledge of the world is limited because it is
based on physical interactions/ experiences.
Sensorimotor stage (Infancy)
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Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget identified four stages in cognitive
development
Children acquire object permanence at about 7
months of age.
Sensorimotor stage (Infancy)
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Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget identified four stages in cognitive
development
Physical development (mobility) allows the child
to begin developing new intellectual abilities.
Sensorimotor stage (Infancy)
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Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget identified four stages in cognitive
development
Some symbolic (language) abilities are developed
at the end of this stage.
Sensorimotor stage (Infancy)
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Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget identified four stages in cognitive
development
Intelligence demonstrated through the use of
symbols, language use matures, and memory and
imagination are developed.
Pre-operational stage (Toddler and Early
Childhood)
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Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget identified four stages in cognitive
development
Thinking is done in a nonlogical, nonreversable
manner.
Pre-operational stage (Toddler and Early
Childhood)
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Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget identified four stages in cognitive
development
Pre-operational stage (Toddler and Early
Childhood)
Egocentric thinking predominates.
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Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget identified four stages in cognitive
development
This stage is characterized by 7 types of
conservation
Concrete operational stage (Elementary and early
adolescence)
number, length, liquid, mass, weight, area, and
volume.
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Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget identified four stages in cognitive
development
Intelligence is demonstrated through logical and
systematic manipulation of symbols related to
concrete objects.
Concrete operational stage (Elementary and early
adolescence)
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Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget identified four stages in cognitive
development
Concrete operational stage (Elementary and early
adolescence)
Operational thinking develops (mental actions
that are reversible).
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Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget identified four stages in cognitive
development
Concrete operational stage (Elementary and early
adolescence)
Egocentric thought diminishes.
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Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget identified four stages in cognitive
development
Intelligence is demonstrated through the logical
manipulation of symbols related to abstract
concepts.
Formal operational stage (Adolescence and
adulthood)
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Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget identified four stages in cognitive
development
Early in this period there is a return to
egocentric thought.
Formal operational stage (Adolescence and
adulthood)
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Stages of Cognitive Development
Piaget identified four stages in cognitive
development
Formal operational stage (Adolescence and
adulthood)
Many adults never attain this stage.
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Research Studies
Piaget's research methods were based primarily on
case studies they were descriptive.
While some  of his ideas have been supported
through more correlational and experimental
methodologies, others have not.
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Research Studies
For example, Piaget believed that biological
development drives the movement from one
cognitive stage to the next.
Data from cross-sectional studies of children in
a variety of western cultures seem to support
this assertion for the stages of sensorimotor,
preoperational, and concrete operations.
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Research Studies
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Research Studies
However, data from similar cross-sectional
studies of adolescents do not support the
assertion that all individuals will automatically
move to the next cognitive stage as they
biologically mature.
For formal operations, it appears that maturation
establishes the basis, but a special environment
is required for most adolescents and adults to
attain this stage.
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Research Studies
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Research Studies
Although research does not support all of
Piagets descriptive theory, it is still
influential for parents and educators.
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The End