Lecture Notes: Human Development - Piaget's Theories

Introduction

• Focus on human development theories.
• Emphasis on understanding key theorists and their frameworks.
• Important for tests and practical applications.

Jean Piaget: Cognitive Development Theory

• Key figure in understanding cognitive development in children.
• Introduced the concept of "Schema."

Stages of Cognitive Development

1. Sensorimotor Stage (Birth to 2 years)

   • Learning through senses and movement.
   • Key Task: Object Permanence (understanding objects continue to exist even when not seen).
   • Example: Peekaboo; infants begin to search for hidden objects.

2. Preoperational Stage (2 to 7 years)

   • Magical thinking, egocentrism.
   • Symbolic thought develops (e.g., recognizing symbols like McDonald's arches).
   • Struggle to see perspectives of others.
   • Example: Egocentric thoughts where a child believes a divorce is their fault.

3. Concrete Operational Stage (7 to 11 years)

   • Understanding of conservation (objects maintain properties despite changes in form).
   • Thinking becomes more logical but still concrete.
   • Example: Literal understanding of phrases (e.g., "getting away with murder").

4. Formal Operational Stage (12 years and up)

   • Abstract and logical thinking develops.
   • Deductive reasoning ability.
   • Most adults reach this stage.

Key Concepts

• Schema:

  • Framework for understanding the world.
  • Involves both mental and physical actions.

• Assimilation vs. Accommodation:

  • Assimilation: Integrating new information into existing schema.
  • Accommodation: Adjusting schema to fit new information.
  • Example: Differentiating between cats and dogs as a child learns.

Historical Context

• Piaget's work influenced by early IQ tests (e.g., Stanford-Binet).
• Part of a broader movement in psychology focusing on mental processes.

Practical Application

• Piaget's theories applied in educational settings and understanding childhood behavior.
• Importance of recognizing developmental stages when assessing behaviors in children and adults.

Additional Insights

• Piaget worked with other theorists like Freud and was influenced by the Stanford-Binet test.
• His methods included observing children to develop his theories.

Conclusion

• Essential to understand Piaget's stages for educational and developmental psychology.
• Key to identifying cognitive stages and relating them to practical situations.

Questions and Discussions

• Open for questions on Piaget's theories or other related developmental theories.

These notes are structured to aid in studying Piaget's Cognitive Development Theory, summarizing key concepts and stages, and providing practical examples for understanding.