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Chapter 5: Problem 3

Summarize the arguments both in support of and critical of Piaget's theory of cognitive development. Piaget is respected as a careful observer of children's behavior and a generally accurate interpreter of the way human cognitive development proceeds, though subsequent research on his theory does suggest several limitations.

Short Answer

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Piaget's cognitive development theory is supported for its iterative stages and the emphasis on the active role of the learner. However, criticism of Piaget's theory references the potential underestimation of children's abilities, overemphasis on the consistency of cognitive development, and neglect of the social environment's influence. The stages proposed by Piaget have also been questioned for their universal applicability.

Step by step solution

01

Identifying Arguments in Support of Piaget's Theory

Start by outlining the key arguments that support Piaget's theory of cognitive development. Highlight the positive impact the theory has had, such as its emphasis on the active role of the learner in knowledge acquisition and the developmental nature of cognitive abilities. Piaget's theory has also been respected for its observed stages of cognitive development which are the sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational stages.
02

Dissecting Criticisms against Piaget's theory

Next, explore the main criticisms and limitations of Piaget's theory that subsequent research has highlighted. Some of these may include, for example, that the theory underestimates children's abilities, overstates the consistency of cognitive development, or neglects the influence of the social environment. It may also question the accuracy and universality of the stages proposed by Piaget.
03

Balancing Both Arguments

Lastly, drawing from step 1 and step 2, create a summary that includes both sets of arguments. Ensure it is balanced, providing equal representation to both support and criticism for Piaget's theory of cognitive development.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Summarize the fundamental features of Piaget's theory of cognitive development. According to Piaget, all children pass gradually through the four major stages of cognitive development (sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational) and their various substages when they are at an appropriate level of maturation and are exposed to relevant types of experiences. In the Piagetian view, children's understanding grows through assimilation of their experiences into their current way of thinking or through accommodation of their current way of thinking to their experiences.

Describe Piaget's sensorimotor stage of cognitive development. During the sensorimotor period (birth to about two years) with its six substages, infants progress from the use of \(\operatorname{sim}-\) ple reflexes, through the development of repeated and integrated actions that gradually increase in complexity, to the ability to generate purposeful effects from their actions. By the end of the sixth substage of the sensorimotor period, infants are beginning to engage in symbolic thought.

Outline the major theories of language development. The learning theory approach to language acquisition assumes that adults and children use basic behavioral processes-such as conditioning, reinforcement, and shaping-in language learning. A different approach proposed by Chomsky holds that humans are genetically endowed with a language-acquisition device, which permits them to detect and use the principles of universal grammar that underlie all languages.

Outline the processes by which children learn to use language. Prelinguistic communication involves the use of sounds, gestures, facial expressions, imitation, and other nonlinguistic means to express thoughts and states. Prelinguistic communication prepares the infant for speech. Infants typically produce their first words between the ages of 10 and 14 months. At around 18 months, children typically begin to link words together into primitive sentences that express single thoughts. Beginning speech is characterized by the use of holophrases, telegraphic speech, underextension, and overextension.

Describe how children influence adults" language. Adult language is influenced by the children to whom it is addressed. Infant- directed speech takes on characteristics, surprisingly invariant across cultures, that make it appealing to infants and that probably encourage language development. Adult language also exhibits differences based on the gender of the child to whom it is directed, which may have effects that emerge later in life.
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