Contributions
Jean Piaget studied human cognition, or how people think and understand the world around them. His work had a huge impact on child psychology, and is seen as a very influential figure in modern developmental psychology.
Through his studies, he determined that people went through 4 stages of cognitive development in their lifetime: the sensorimotor stage, the preoperational stage, the concrete operational stage, and the formal operational stage.
- 1. The Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years)
- Learn about the world through their senses
- Able to understand the concept of objects
- 2. The Preoperational Stage (3-6 years)
- First use language and other symbols, imagination
- Give meaning only to particular experiences and objects
- 3. The Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 years)
- First see loose connections in their surroundings'
- Focus on how and why things happen
- 4. The Formal Operational Stage (12-on)
- Think abstractly and critically (ex: can understand metaphors)
As a person moves through these stages of development, their interactions with others change. These interactions help provide an understanding of the social world and help them develop morally.
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Through his studies, he determined that people went through 4 stages of cognitive development in their lifetime: the sensorimotor stage, the preoperational stage, the concrete operational stage, and the formal operational stage.
- 1. The Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years)
- Learn about the world through their senses
- Able to understand the concept of objects
- 2. The Preoperational Stage (3-6 years)
- First use language and other symbols, imagination
- Give meaning only to particular experiences and objects
- 3. The Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 years)
- First see loose connections in their surroundings'
- Focus on how and why things happen
- 4. The Formal Operational Stage (12-on)
- Think abstractly and critically (ex: can understand metaphors)
As a person moves through these stages of development, their interactions with others change. These interactions help provide an understanding of the social world and help them develop morally.
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