Question

Discuss the relevance of cognitive development theory to Nursing Practice.

Answer 1

Developmental theories identify behaviours associated with various stages through which individuals pass,thereby specifying what is appropriate or inappropriate at each developmental level.Therefore nurses must have a basic knowledge of human personality development to understand maladaptive behavioural responses commonly seen in mentally ill.Knowledge of the appropriateness of behaviour at each developmental level is vital to planning and implementation of quality nursing care

Jean Piaget ,Psychologist spent most of his life work to observing and interacting with children to determine how their thinking process different from adults.The developing child passes through four main discrete stages-the sensori motor stage,preoperational stage,the stage of concrete options and the stage of formal operations.During cognitive development the individual strives to find equilibrium between self and environment.So it helps the nurse in understanding about how the throught process are structured and how they develop and their influence on behaviour.This theory is effective in promoting constructive communication,to control emotions,to change health habits and helps in problem solving.it also helps in developing strategies as well as analyze view points.it helps the student nurses to learn more effectively by using their previous experiences for better understanding.According to Cognitive theory when behaviour is changed ,it is a precursor of what is happening inside the learners mind.This theory can be effectively used in improving the curriculum and educational psychology.