Summary
Summary Cognition and development
- Module
- Cognition and development
- Institution
- AQA
It is an in-depth summary of the topic cognition and development from psychology AQA A-level.
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
Content preview
Piaget's theory27 December 2022 16:13
Cognitive development is a result of two influences
Maturation-biological Environment-interaction/understanding of
processing of ageing the world becomes more complex
Schemas
• Mental structures that represent a group of related concepts.
○ Behavioural (grasping an object)
○ Cognitive (classifying object)
• When a child is born it already has a few schemas-->grasping reflex✊/mental representation of
human face .
• Afterwards schemas develop from interaction with the environment
How do schemas become more complex?
Assimilation
• Occurs when an existing schema is used on a new object (incorporation of new info to existing
one)
• Child initially tries to understand world by using existing knowledge about the world.
Accommodation
• Occurs when a child adapts existing schemas in order to understand new information that doesn’t
fit
• New schema is formed to accommodate information-->dog, four legs and cat.
Equilibration
• The driving force beyond these changes is the adaptation of equilibrium
○ Intellect strives to remain a sense of balance
○ Balance between existing and new schemas.
• If new experiences cannot be assimilated into new schemas then there is an imbalance in
equilibrium.
• Cognitive development is the result of adaptation between an existing schema and environmental
demands for change -->new experiences that don’t fit into schemas.
Lifespan learning
• Process outlined takes place throughout life as presented in the environment
○ Assimilated
○ Accommodate by creating new schemas
• Stages of cognitive development.
AO3
Point: There is evidence to support the existence of innate schemas.
Example: Fantz (1961) showed that infants show a preference for schematic face rather than the same
features all jumbled up. This shows that it is the unique configuration of a face rather than a complex
Cognition and development notes Page 1
, features all jumbled up. This shows that it is the unique configuration of a face rather than a complex
pattern that is preferred.
Link: Therefore this supports Piaget's view that infants are born with innate schemas.
Point: There is little research to support Piaget's ideas about the effects of disequilibrium.
Example: For example Barber et al (1974) did show that children's learning was helped when there was
mild conflict between what they expected to happen and what did happen. However Bryant (1995)
argues that it wasn't the sort of conflict that Piaget was talking about since Piaget's conflict was a major
dissonance between 2 things.
Link: Therefore this shows that some aspects of Piaget's theory are not testable and difficult to
operationalise such as assimilation.
Point: Piaget doesn't consider the role of language at all in cognitive development.
Example: His views were supported by an experiment done by Hermina (1969). She demonstrated that
children who were "non-conservers" differed in language in terms of "conservers". The "non-
conservers" tended to use absolute words rather than comparative terms such as "big" rather than
"larger". These findings suggest that cognitive and linguistic development are tied together. Sinclair-de-
Zwart taught appropriate verbal skills to non-conservers but 90% of children were unable to conserve.
Link: Therefore this shows that cognitive maturity is a requirement for linguistic development.
Point: A strength of the theory is that Piaget's theory is very comprehensive theory for children's
cognitive development.
Example: Piaget's theory has been more extensively developed than any other. It has provided an idea
about children and influenced educational practice. It is valued for its incorporation of nature and
nurture to explain cognitive development.
Link: Therefore this shows that Piaget's theory had provided many valuable insights into how children's
minds develop.
Cognition and development notes Page 2
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller studyhelp12. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £6.48. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
73314 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 14 years now