Schemas
What is a schema?
Mental representations that help us to organize & interpret information.
How many stages are in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development?
4
True or false: In Piaget’s stages, each child goes through the stages in the same order
True
At what stage do we develop object permanence (that objects still exist even if they can’t see them, and the infant will search for them when they disappear)?
Sensorimotor
Logical thought begins being used in the _____ stage
concrete operational stage
Adaptation can occur using what 2 processes?
Assimilation and accommodation
Age of the sensorimotor stage
Birth to 18-24 months
True or false: Piaget argues that children should only be taught things that they are capable of learning
True
Animism (the tendency for the child to think that non-living objects, such as toys, have life and feelings like a person) is characteristic of which stage?
Preoperational stage
Why would Piaget argue that a child’s maturity level matters in the classroom?
One example could be that a teacher needs to be aware of the stage of development of each child so teaching can be tailored to their individual needs. (Multiple answers accepted!)
Assimilation is the incorporation of new information into ______ schemas.
Assimilation is the incorporation of new information into pre-existing schemas/ideas.
Age of the pre-operational stage
2-7
True or false: Egocentrism peaks and declines in the preoperational stage.
True
Symbolic thought develops in the ______ stage.
Preoperational
Concrete operations are carried out on physical objects, whereas formal operations are carried out on
Ideas
True or false: Accommodation occurs when we modify existing schemas OR create new schemas to fit the new information into.
True!
Age of the concrete operational stage
7-11 years
True or false: every child makes it through all 4 stages.
False, some may never reach the later stages
At what stage do we gain the ability to conserve quantities?
The concrete operational stage. Children begin to understand the concept of conservation; understanding that, although things may change in appearance, certain properties remain the same.
The three mountain study showed us that children in the beginning of the preoperational stage are focused on themselves, meaning they are
egocentric (assumes that other people see the world as they see it)
What is disequilibrium in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development?
When we cannot fit new information into pre-existing schemas (assimilation), we are pushed into disequilibrium. This drives development!
Age of the formal operational stage
adolescence to adulthood
True or false: In Piaget’s stages, each child goes through the stages at the same rate.
False. The ages are just an average of when a child may be in a specific stage.
Abstract thought / the ability to imagine theoretical situations develops in which stage?
Formal operational
What type of approach does Piaget support?
A constructivist approach. Children are active learners that explore and seek to understand the world around them!