11.1.6

Evaluation of Piaget

Test yourself

Evaluation of Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development

Piaget was massively influential in the study of child development. But as with any theory, there were critiques.

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Strengths - cultural validity

  • A strength of Piaget’s theory was the fact that it was cross-cultural.
  • Studies conducted in other countries with different ethnicities showed similar results.
  • Children from all over progressed through his four stages in similar ways.
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Weaknesses

  • Weaknesses of Piaget’s theory include:
    • Underestimation of abilities.
    • No reference to teaching or practice.
    • Questionable methodology.
    • Underestimation of the importance of language.
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Underestimation of abilities

  • For several of the skills, Piaget underestimated the skills of the children.
  • For example, the Naughty teddy study (McGarrigle and Donaldson (1974)), showed that younger children could in fact understand conservation.
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No reference to teaching or practice

  • Piaget states that teaching and practice would not push the children through the stages any faster.
  • But teaching can move the children through the stages faster.
  • For example, the teaching of algebra (an abstract and complex skill), can be taught to younger children in the concrete operational stage.
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Questionable methodology

  • Piaget recorded results via observation and interviews (qualitative data).
  • Qualitative data can be subjective due to bias.
  • So his methodology has been called into question.
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Importance of language

  • Finally, Piaget believed that for language to develop, cognitive development must happen first.
  • Other psychologists such as Vygotsky disagreed.
  • Vygotsky, opposing Piaget, did think language was important for cognitive development.

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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)

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