Cognative Development Theroy - Essay Example

153). These theories are mostly concerned with deciphering the manner in which individuals think as opposed to psychological theories which are concerned with assessing what they think. These theories posit that human development takes place in a pre-decided sequence, and hence is highly predictable in nature. This sequence can neither be changed nor reversed and that once the individuals reach a certain stage in their lives, the learning process doesn't regress since the process of development is described as cumulative by cognitive developmental theorists (Newman and Newman, 2011).

The definition and meaning of the terms learning and development, as well as their contribution to the theories of cognitive developmental psychology have been widely debated by scholars and educational theorists over the years (Kuhn, 1995; Strauss, 1993). However, it has been established through research that the notions of learning and development as perceived by cognitive developmental theorists, are neither predetermined nor ascertained but are in fact defined and described differently based on the thoughts and perceptions of each individual theorist. B. Address two of the following major cognitive development theorists: Piaget, Vygotsky, Bruner, or Thelen. . Piaget strongly proposed the hypothesis that children are not naturally born with innate ideas about reality, as claimed by some, nor are they taught about things and situations around them by their elders.

He in fact believed that the children actively observe, participate and construct meaning about things and situations around them and understand the world around them based on their experiences. He further stated that children are curious by nature and hence seek answers to their questions by generating own ideas based on their experiences, to solve problems encountered by them in their daily lives (Sigelman and Rider, 2011). Vygotsky: Lev Vygotsky, endorsed similar views as Piaget with regard to the manner in which children learn about their surroundings.

Like Piaget, Vygotsky too believed that children learn about the world around them by actively participating in it and asking questions and ultimately constructing meaning and knowledge based on their experiences. However he differed in opinion about the manner in which children learn about complex situations, which he believed was learnt through constant interaction with the child's elders i.e. teachers or parents. His theory essentially focused on three key aspects namely; culture, language and zone of proximal development (Oakley, 2004). 1. Compare and contrast each theorist’s views on the nature or development of intelligence.

According to Piaget, children learn to think in certain predetermined and recognizable stages which are dependent on natural maturation, while Vygotsky believed that the development of thinking processes in individuals is directly related to and dependent on the development of language and culture. Piaget believed that the role of external forces such