Summary of Theories - Piaget and Vygotsky

1517 Words7 Pages
Piaget developed his theory in order to offer an explanation for children's cognitive learning styles and abilities. It explains how children obtain the mental structure necessary to perceive the world, and initiates the concept of developmental stages in which the child is able to comprehend its surroundings. This theory suggests that a person's ability to learn is affected by the situation in which the person is educated; as well as their personal viewpoints and thoughts. Piaget's theory of cognitive development "proposes that a child's intellect, or cognitive abilities, progresses through four distinct stages". Vygotsky's theories are constantly compared to that of Piaget's because they are both considered to be constructivists in the field of cognitive development. While there are many differences in their theories in the field of cognitive development, there are some similarities among the way they both, Piaget and Vygotsky, view the nature, or development, of human intelligence. For example, they both believe that students learn by fitting new information together with the information that they already know. They also believe that learning is affected by the context in which an idea is taught, as well as by beliefs and attitudes because the boundaries of cognitive growth are established by societal influences. They also agree that children's speech is an important part of their cognitive development and that it occurs in distinct stages. Piaget's views differ from Vygotsky's in several different areas. Piaget believes that learning occurs from a succession through stages of cognitive development through the implementation of maturation, discovery methods, and some social communication that occurs through assimilation and accommodation. Piaget's view of learning is based on an understanding of construction modes. Individuals construct their own meaning
Open Document