Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development

Overview

Piaget's theory involves four stages of cognitive development.
Stages: Sensori-motor, Pre-operational, Concrete operational, Formal operational.
Full human intelligence is achieved after completing all stages, which vary in age for each individual.

Development through experiences and movement
- Brain develops through five senses (see, hear, smell, taste, touch).
- Starts with simple reflexes, leading to first habits.
Milestone: Object Permanence
- Realization that objects exist even when unseen.
- Leads to curiosity and exploration.
Egocentric Perspective
- World perceived only from own viewpoint.
Physical Mobility and Cognitive Development
- Movement leads to increased cognitive development (sitting, crawling, walking, running).

Symbolic Function and Intuitive Thought
- Thinking characterized by symbolic functions (words, images, gestures).
- Engages in pretend play and uses symbols.
Intuitive Age
- Development of primitive reasoning and curiosity.
- Egocentric thinking persists, assuming others view the world the same way.

Concrete Cognitive Operations
- Discover logic and apply concrete operations (sorting objects, inductive reasoning).
- Understand conservation (quantity remains the same despite shape changes).
Reversibility and Logical Thinking
- Mental structures allow rearranging thoughts and understanding reverse actions.
Understanding Uniqueness
- Recognize own thoughts and feelings as unique.
- Begin to empathize with others and see different perspectives.

Abstract and Hypothetical Thinking
- Think rationally about abstract concepts (success, failure, love, hate).
- Develop deeper understanding of identity and morality.
Deductive Reasoning
- Compare statements to reach logical generalizations.
- Plan systematically and make assumptions about events.
Philosophical Thinking
- Ability to think about thinking itself (meta-cognition).
Egocentric Thoughts in Adolescence
- Imaginary audience phenomenon (belief that others are always watching).
Finality of Cognitive Development
- Piaget believed the formal operational stage is the final stage of cognitive development.

Interest in animals; published scientific paper on albino sparrows at age 11.
Began work with standardized intelligence tests in 1920.
Noted different types of mistakes by younger children, concluding different ways of thinking.
Dedicated life to studying intellectual development in children.