Developmental Theory - Jean Piaget

Jean Piaget - Developmental Theory

Biologist

Studied children - Observing and Talking with them

Abstract Reasoning: What distinguishes Humans from other Animals

4 Stages of Sequential Development

1. Sensorimotor Stage - Birth-2: reflexive actions; uses senses & motor ability to understand world, object impermanence, physical action schemas

2. Pre-operational Stage - 2-7: use imagery, memory, symbols, able to pretend, classify = primary function, egocentric, gradual assimilation of schemas

3. Concrete Operations - 7-11: logical operations, think systematically to concrete objects/activities

4. Formal Operations - 12+: reduced dependence on presences of objects, hypothetical thinking, abstract; ****NOT EVERYONE ACHIEVES THIS LEVEL

TERMINOLOGY

Assimilation

Accommodation

Adaptation

Conservation

Seriation

Object Impermanence

Reversibility

Schemas