ch 5

Summarize the fundamental features of Piaget's theory of cognitive development

Piaget is best known for this theory. Piaget believed that human development/behavior were the product of certain consistent and reliable patterns of interaction with the environment called Schemas

Explain Vygotsky's view of cognitive development, and contrast it to Piaget's theory

students are viewed as young apprentices who benefit from the relationships they have with competent mentors. through social guidance and cooperative dialogue, students acquire knowledge and skill. guided participation. teachers provide scaffolding. This contradicts Piaget's view of universal stages and content of development (Vygotsky does not refer to stages in the way that Piaget does). Hence Vygotsky assumes cognitive development varies across cultures, whereas Piaget states cognitive development is mostly universal across cultures.

Describe the cognitive advances children make during Piaget's concrete operational and formal operational stages.

The formal operational stage is the fourth and final stage of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development. It begins at approximately age 12 and lasts into adulthood. At this point in development, thinking becomes much more sophisticated and advanced. Kids can think about abstract and theoretical concepts and use logic to come up with creative solutions to problems. Skills such as logical thought, deductive reasoning, and systematic planning also emerge during this stage.

Define what Piaget meant by preoperational thought and describe the cognitive characteristics of this stage.

The preoperational stage is the second stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development. ... During this period, children are thinking at a symbolic level but are not yet using cognitive operations. The child's thinking during this stage is pre (before) operations.

Define Vygotsky's zone of proximal development, and explain the role it plays in children's cognitive development

When children are in this zone of proximal development, providing them with the appropriate assistance and tools, which he referred to as scaffolding, gives students what they need to accomplish the new task or skill. Eventually, the scaffolding can be removed and the student will be able to complete the task independently.