Memory Systems
What is the capacity and duration of working memory?
Working memory holds 7±2 pieces of information for 15-30 seconds.
What is the key achievement of the sensorimotor stage?
Understanding that objects exist even when out of sight (object permanence).
What is the role of repetition in transferring information to long-term memory?
Information moves from working memory to long-term memory through repetition and meaning-making.
What are schemas in Piaget's theory?
Schemas are organized patterns of thought and behavior that help individuals understand the world.
What is one major critique regarding individual differences in Piaget's theory?
Not everyone reaches formal operations at the same age or at all.
How does multitasking affect teenage working memory?
Multitasking overloads teenage working memory more than adult brains.
In which stage do children develop symbolic representation?
The preoperational stage (ages 2-7).
What is the difference between explicit and implicit memory?
Explicit memory involves conscious recall of facts and events, while implicit memory influences behavior unconsciously.
What is assimilation in cognitive development?
Fitting new information into existing mental schemes.
How do cultural variations challenge Piaget's theory?
Formal operational thought may not develop equally across all cultures.
What type of memory is responsible for retaining skills like riding a bike?
Procedural memory stores skills and habits that are performed automatically.
What characterizes the concrete operations stage?
The ability to use mental operations with tangible objects and situations.
How can visual organizers help with working memory?
Visual organizers minimize distractions and help break tasks into manageable chunks.
What is accommodation in cognitive development?
Modifying existing schemes to incorporate new information.
What aspect of cognitive development might be underestimated in younger children?
Piaget may have underestimated younger children's capabilities in certain areas.
Why do teenagers excel at forming emotional long-term memories?
Teenage brains form stronger implicit memories, especially emotional ones.
What is a significant ability developed in the formal operations stage?
The capacity for hypothetical-deductive reasoning.
How does emotional connection enhance long-term memory?
Emotional connections make information more vivid and easier to recall.
What major transition occurs during the formal operations stage?
The ability to think logically and abstractly about hypothetical situations.
What is a critique related to task-specific thinking in Piaget's theory?
Cognitive abilities may be more domain-specific than Piaget suggested.
How do all three memory systems interact when learning to drive?
Working memory processes instructions, long-term memory holds traffic rules, and procedural memory manages automatic responses.
How does metacognition manifest in adolescents?
Adolescents can think about their own thinking processes and understand complex concepts.
What strategies can be used to optimize procedural memory?
Consistent practice and focusing on quality over speed initially.
How does Piaget's theory relate to educational practices?
Teaching methods should match students' developmental stages, promoting active learning.
How do modern researchers build upon Piaget's foundational work?
They refine and expand upon his concepts, adapting them to contemporary understanding of cognitive development.