Evaluate Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development in the Light of Recent Criticism

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Evaluate Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development in the Light of Recent Criticism Some years ago, Jean Piaget’s (1896 - 1980) theory of cognitive development during childhood was regarded as the major paradigm in which to understand the complex procedure of mental progression through different levels of thinking and understanding. One of the most important contributions that Piaget made, was to establish the fact that the cognitive processes of young children are not simply immature versions of that of an adult, but that they have their very own rules. As will become apparent in this essay Piaget’s theory and in fact his findings have been widely challenged. Never the less, Piaget’s ideas still maintain a vital influence in both general psychology and contemporary education. Piaget contended that cognitive development can be divided into four stages. This essay will examine each stage individually and then evaluate Piaget’s theories by exploring some of the major criticisms and supporting views. It is not possible, within the constraints of this essay to describe Piaget’s (or others) experiments in any great detail. However, a brief summary of methodologies and findings will be included. Each stage is characterised by an overall structure and a sequence of development which occurs within this structure. According to Piagetian theory, these structures consist of "schemas", which are essentially, ways of organising experience. According to Piaget, schemas are the primary component of intelligent behaviour. These schemas adapt through a continuous process of "assimilation" and "accommodation," in an endeavour to attain "equilibrium" which is essentially balance. Assimilation is the process of adapting new experiences to fit into existing schemas. Accommodation is the process of changing existing schemas to fit new experiences. The first of Piaget’s stages

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