11.1.2

Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development 2

Test yourself

Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development: Concrete Operational

Piaget summarised four distinct stages of development of cognition (thinking). They are based on intellectual development and how they correlate with age.

Illustrative background for Concrete operational (7-11 years)Illustrative background for Concrete operational (7-11 years) ?? "content

Concrete operational (7-11 years)

  • Children in this stage no longer show egocentrism, irreversibility or centration.
  • Children’s language and logical thinking continue to solidify.
  • They are able to do conservation tasks.
Illustrative background for Conservation tasksIllustrative background for Conservation tasks ?? "content

Conservation tasks

  • An example of a conservation task is the five penny task:
    • Imagine five pennies, even spaced about 1cm apart.
    • Then they are arranged 5cm apart.
  • The child would understand that there is still the same amount of pennies even though they are further apart.
  • A child unable to demonstrate conservation would not understand this.
Illustrative background for Class inclusionIllustrative background for Class inclusion ?? "content

Class inclusion

  • In this stage, children demonstrate class inclusion.
  • This is when they are able to classify objects/things in multiple categories and understand that the object can fit in two categories simultaneously.
    • For example, a parrot is both a ‘bird’ and an ‘animal’.
    • Another example is their mother is both a ‘mother’ and a ‘woman’.
Illustrative background for Abstract reasoningIllustrative background for Abstract reasoning ?? "content

Abstract reasoning

  • Children are not yet able to do abstract reasoning.
  • This is not seen until the final stage of formal operational.

Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development: Formal Operational

Piaget summarised four distinct stages of development of cognition (thinking). They are based on intellectual development and how they correlate with age.

Illustrative background for Formal operational (11+ years)Illustrative background for Formal operational (11+ years) ?? "content

Formal operational (11+ years)

  • Logical thinking, vocabulary skills, problem solving and abstract thinking are solidified in this stage.
  • Children can understand hypothetical situations, theories and develop hypotheses.
Illustrative background for Examples in practiceIllustrative background for Examples in practice ?? "content

Examples in practice

  • For example:
    • Children can better understand complex and abstract scientific concepts like atoms and gravity.
    • Children can create hypotheses in their science lessons to predict what will happen.

Jump to other topics

1Social Influence

2Memory

3Attachment

4Psychopathology

5Approaches in Psychology

6Biopsychology

7Research Methods

8Issues & Debates in Psychology (A2 only)

9Option 1: Relationships (A2 only)

10Option 1: Gender (A2 only)

11Option 1: Cognition & Development (A2 only)

12Option 2: Schizophrenia (A2 only)

13Option 2: Eating Behaviour (A2 only)

14Option 2: Stress (A2 only)

15Option 3: Aggression (A2 only)

16Option 3: Forensic Psychology (A2 only)

17Option 3: Addiction (A2 only)

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson