Question

Jean Piaget described 4 stages of cognitive development. What are these four stages and what are the ages that correspond to each stage. What cognitive processes developed during each stage? How does Vygotsky's theory expand upon Piaget's theory?

Answer 1

4 stages of cognitive development are as follows:

1) Sensorimotor stage - After birth to 18-24 months - During this age the child follow and listen to their parents and older person. They don't have any idea what to do or what not.

2) Preoperational stage - From 18-24 months to 7 years - During this period the child starts speaking, they becomes aware about language, they also starts developing memory, starts thinking but still not mature.

3) Concrete operational stage - 7 years to 12 years - It is the pre-adolescent stage during which they become aware about different types of external events and they starts thinking about feelings and emotions.

4) Formal operational stage - Adolescence to adulthood (11-plus) - This is the stage of intellectual development. At this stage they starts thinking in various ways, becomes responsible and concept of justice also develop into them.

Vygotsky's theory explain that first learning starts in a child from their society and culture, then it cause development of child but Piaget's theory explain that first development starts and then learning. According to Vygotsky's theory there are three causes of cognitive development which is Culture, Society and Language. This theory focuses on internalization which state that knowledge is already present in a culture and society and as an individual it is our duty to gain that knowledge in ourselves.