Cognnitive developement theory - Assignment Example

Cognitive developmental Theory Cognitive developmental Theory Several theories have been proposed regarding the development of an individual’s cognitive process, the first and the most important theory of development of individual’s cognition is the Cognitive Developmental Theory proposed by Piaget. The theory proposes that an individual’s cognition develops through various different stages of his/her life and in each stage, an individual comes across various challenging situations (Demetriou, 2004, p.265). The theory further states that as individuals accomplish the challenges of one stage, his cognitive processes get ready to face the challenges of the next stage.

The stages classified by Piaget through which an individual passes includes the first stage of sensorimotor, this stage is experienced by an individual from birth till the individual is two years old (Newman, 1975, p.55). During this stage a child learns with the aid of the perception of the senses. The second stage is the egocentrism stage; this stage is experienced by an individual from two years till seven years of age (Sigelman, 2003, p.48). During this stage, individuals learn language but they do not have the ability to interpret information and they fail to devise logic.

From the age of seven till the age of 11, an individual passes through concrete operational stage; in this stage an individual gains the ability to logically understand scenarios but experiences trouble while trying to understand abstract concepts (Efland, 2002, p.23). From ages 11 and onwards, an individual experiences the stage of formal operation, during this stage he/she gains the ability to think logically and understand abstracts and situations that are hypothetical in nature (Efland, 2002, p.23). This study helps in explaining why individuals think and behave in a certain manner at a certain age, further study of this theory helps explain why certain individuals fail to develop their cognition in accordance to their age.

ReferencesDemetriou, A., & Raftopoulos, A. (2004). Cognitive developmental change: Theories, models and measurement. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.Efland, A. (2002). Art and cognition: Integrating the visual arts in the curriculum. New York: Teachers College Press.Newman, B. M., & Newman, P. R. (1975). Development through life: A psychosocial approach. Homewood, Ill: Dorsey Press.Sigelman, C. K., & Rider, E. A. (2003). Life-span human development. Australia: Thomson/Wadsworth.