Lesson no 11:Cognitive Development: SHORT QUESTIONS
Who is the most influential theorist in cognitive development? Jean Piaget is the most influential theorist in cognitive development.
What are the two key processes involved in cognitive development according to Piaget? The two key processes are assimilation and accommodation.
What is a “scheme” in Piaget’s theory? A scheme is a pattern of action or a mental structure involved in acquiring and structuring knowledge (e.g., grasping, throwing).
Name the four stages of Piaget’s cognitive development. The four stages are Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, and Formal Operational.
What major cognitive achievement occurs in the Sensorimotor stage? The development of object permanence is a major cognitive achievement in the Sensorimotor stage.
What is egocentric thought? Egocentric thought is the inability of a preoperational child to see a situation from another person’s point of view.
According to Vygotsky, what is the main tool for acquiring cognitive abilities in any culture? Language is the main tool for acquiring cognitive abilities.
What is the “Zone of Proximal Development” (ZPD)? The ZPD is the difference between what a learner can do without help and what they can achieve with guidance and encouragement from a skilled partner. (Note: While not explicitly in the provided text pages, it is a core Vygotskian concept strongly implied by the discussion of social interaction and language. An alternative text-based question would be: What is the primary method of investigation used by Piaget? Answer: The Clinical Method, a form of structured observation.)
Explain the process of assimilation. Assimilation is the process of incorporating new information into existing cognitive schemes.
How does accommodation differ from assimilation? Accommodation is the process of modifying existing schemes or creating new ones to fit new information that does not fit into existing schemes.
Why is the concept of “object permanence” important for cognitive development? Object permanence, the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, is a fundamental breakthrough that allows the infant to begin to construct a stable mental representation of the world.
How does the preoperational child’s thinking differ from that of a concrete operational child? Preoperational thinking is intuitive, egocentric, and lacks logical operations like conservation. Concrete operational thinking is logical, systematic, but limited to concrete objects and events.
What is the role of social interaction in Vygotsky’s theory of cognitive development? Vygotsky believed that social interaction, especially with more knowledgeable others, is fundamental to cognitive development. Higher mental functions originate in social interactions and are then internalized.
How does motivation influence cognitive development and learning? Motivation determines whether and how well one learns. People learn information and skills that are meaningful and valuable within their cultural context.
What is the significance of the cultural context in cognitive development, according to the socio-cultural perspective? The culture and society provide the context, tools (especially language), values, and motivation that shape an individual’s cognitive development and define what skills are important to learn.
How did Piaget’s method of investigation (the clinical method) work? Piaget presented problems to children and then used flexible, open-ended questioning to probe their reasoning and understand the underlying thought processes.
Why is the Formal Operational stage considered a major advance? It allows for abstract and hypothetical thinking, logical reasoning about concepts, and systematic problem-solving, enabling scientific thinking and consideration of future possibilities.
A child who has only ever seen house cats sees a tiger and calls it a “kitty.” This is an example of ________. Assimilation.
A child understands that pouring water from a short, wide glass into a tall, thin glass does not change the amount of water. This child has mastered ________ and is likely in the ________ stage. Conservation; Concrete Operational.
A teacher helps a student solve a problem by breaking it down into steps and providing hints. This teaching strategy is aligned with whose theory? This is aligned with Vygotsky’s theory (scaffolding within the ZPD).
An adolescent can think about abstract concepts like “justice” and “freedom.” According to Piaget, this person has reached the ________ stage. Formal Operational stage.
A baby searches for a toy that has been hidden under a blanket. This indicates the baby has developed ________. Object Permanence.
A 4-year-old covers her eyes and believes you cannot see her because she cannot see you. This illustrates ________. Egocentrism.
A child who has a scheme for “grasping” modifies it to “grasping a rattle.” This is an example of ________. Accommodation (if the grip is modified) or Assimilation (if the existing grasp scheme is applied directly). The context suggests Accommodation if the rattle requires a new type of grip.
How might a child’s cultural background influence their cognitive development, as per the socio-cultural view? A child raised in a culture that values storytelling might develop strong narrative and memory skills, while a child in a technologically advanced culture might develop stronger digital literacy skills.
