Question

What are the differences between cognitive and psychosocial development

Answer 1

Answer- Human development is a process which passes through many physical, psychological, social and cognitive changes. It is a lifelong developmental process. Each kind of development has different aspects. We can describe the differences between cognitive and psychosocial development with the help of the following points-

• Cognitive Development- Cognitive development refers to gain the ability of reasoning and problem solving. Famous psychologist Jean Piaget had given the theory of cognitive development. He described four stages of childhood cognitive development which are sensorimotor stage, preoperational stage, concrete stage and formal operational stage. Cognitive development includes a person's development of logic, memory, attention and perception.
• Psychosocial Development- Erik Erikson described the theory of psychosocial development. He divided the psychosocial development of an individual into eight stages. Each stage faces a conflict which needs to be resolved to get progress. These stages start from infancy and continue till old age leading various conflicts which trust vs. mistrust, autonomy vs. shame and doubt, industry vs. inferiority, initiative vs. guilt, identity vs. confusion, intimacy vs. isolation, generativity vs. stagnation, integrity vs. despair.

Erikson and Piaget both did great work in the field of developmental psychology. Both, cognitive and psychosocial development are essential for the positive growth of an individual's personality.