Question

Using piaget’s theory do the following:

(Adolescence)

Describe the characteristics of this stage (e.g. key terms, definitions, age,etc). Also, give practical examples of behaviors/cognitions that mark this stage. Also, describe the influence of heredity and environment here with examples.

Answer 1

Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development

This theory suggests that children move through four different stages of mental development.

1. Sensorimotor stage (birth to 2 years)
2. Pre-operational stage: (ages 2 to 7 years)
3. Concrete operational stage: (ages 7 to 11 years)
4. Formal operational stage: (ages 12 and above)

Sensorimotor stage

The Sensorimotor stage in which the development is focused on their movement and sensation. Children learn about the world through basic actions such as sucking, grasping, looking, and listening. As kids interact with their environment, they are continually making new discoveries about how the world works.

Pre-operational stage

During this stage, children begins to use language and to think more abstractly about the objects, but their understanding is more intuitive and without much ability to reason. Thinking in this stage is still egocentric, meaning the child has difficulty seeing the viewpoints of others.

Concrete Operational Stage

In this stage the child starts with major turning point in the child cognitive development where logical or operational thought process begins. Children develop the ability to exchange conversation and manipulate concrete object or situation. Egocentric gradually become vanish and started thinking like mature people (adult like).

Formal Operational Stage

This stage occurs at age 12 on-wards and adolescence comes under operational stage. Children acquire the ability to think hypothetically and Think Outside the Box. Logical conclusion and problem solving in local manner can be done by child. Child also think about moral, philosophical, ethical, social and political issue that require theoretical and abstract reasoning.

Example- Child can be able to solve Rubix cube with Algorithm where child can understand it logical manner which can be first and how to turn and how to completing.

Scientific Reasoning is apparent in this stage:

1. Hypothetical deductive reasoning:- Adolescents have the cognitive ability to develop hypothesis about the ways to solve problems and can systemically deduce which is the best path to follow in solving problem.

Example- Teen able to think about two ways to home and which is near and which far and can choose better.

2. Abstract Thought- Adolescent ability to think and consider possible outcome and consequence of action rather than relying on past experience.

Heredity and Environment

Cognitive Learning can influence Our Environment and Heredity also. In Heredity, teen can able to solve the problem, higher order thinking and when its come to Environment where teen learn from past experience and solve and overcome day by day issues by seeing others. Piaget believed that the process of thinking and intellectual development could be regarded as an extension of the biological process of adaptation of the species.