Piaget’s Model of Cognitive Development: Social Theory

Piaget’s Model of Cognitive Development: Social Theory

  • Submitted By: JPfeffer
  • Date Submitted: 05/16/2013 11:42 PM
  • Category: Psychology
  • Words: 2159
  • Page: 9
  • Views: 1

When it comes to the area of developmental psychology, Jean Piaget is deemed to be the greatest developmental psychologist of the 20th century (Elkind, 1978; Peterson, 2010; Smith, 2000). Much of modern cognitive theory, including its relationship to socialization, stems from Piaget’s observations of children (Evans, 1973; Sonderegger, 1998). His theory proposes that all children progressed from a position of egocentrism, (the inability to take in anyone else’s view than their own), to sociocentrism, also known as ethnocentrism, (judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one's own culture), (Ally Dog, 2012, ¶1; Omohundro, 2008; Peterson 2010, p. 571). This is achieved through a series of four cognitive stages of development each characterised by a qualitatively different mode of thought, known as the cognitive developmental approach (Peterson, 2010; Sonderegger, 1998). The mechanism of transition between stages is a dialectical conflict between the process of assimilation, also known as constructivism, and accommodation to achieve ever higher orders of ‘equilibration’ (Glaserfeld, 1989, p. 162; Peterson, 2010, p. 53, 122, 207, 567; Sonderegger, 1998; Zgourides, 2000, p. 12). This state of ‘equilibrium’ is achieved when accommodation brings forth new information from one’s environment and assimilation incorporates it into pre-existing cognitive schemas (McLeod, 2012, ¶20 – 23; Peterson, 2010, p. 53, 122, 567). This essay will examine Piaget’s social concept of development through the findings of an interview with a subject. Through examining the four stages of Piaget’s theory and the answers provided, the subject’s level of development will be identified. Possible explanations will be made when reflecting on whether the outcomes are similar or different from outcomes expected from Piaget’s theory.
The subject’s name is Ethan Waugh who is a ten year old boy attending primary school at Moggill State School. He is the youngest in a family of...

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