Human Growth and Development, Part 3
Question 1: Explain the following concepts of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development: schemas, assimilation, accommodation, and equilibration.
Answer 1: Schemas (alternatively called schemes) are the ideas or mental structures about life that children develop to organize experience and learning. Schemas are constantly changing with new experiences and children adapt schemas through assimilation or accommodation. Assimilation occurs when a child integrates information from new experiences with existing schemas. Accommodation occurs when a child modifies or replaces a schema based on new experiences. Piaget believed that all children attempt to maintain a balance between assimilation and accommodation. In other words, there must be both the application and the modification of previous understanding in response to new experiences. He called this process of balancing equilibration.
There are lots of good resources about Human Growth that you can find available.
Question 2: Describe the last two of Piaget’s four stages of cognitive development.
Answer 2: According to Piaget, cognitive development occurs in four sequential stages: 1) sensorimotor; 2) preoperational; 3) concrete operational; and 4) formal operational. The ages identified with each stage are only approximate. Actual ages of transition to the next stage will vary among children. The last two stages are:Concrete operational (ages 6 or 7–11 years): Children are now capable of well-organized, logical thought. However, thinking remains concrete: thinking about real, tangible things. Thinking is less egocentric and more reversible.Formal operational (age 11+ years): A person begins to demonstrate the ability to think in abstract or hypothetical terms. In addition to simple logic, a person now becomes capable of more complex logical thought: for example, if–then sequences.
Question 3: Give a basic summary of attachment theory.
Answer 3: An attachment is an emotional and relational bond between two people. From a developmental perspective, the focus is on relationships in the first few years of life, especially infancy. The most critical relationship is the relationship with the mother. Attachment theorists believe the amount and kind of bonding a child receives in early life greatly affects relationships and emotional health later in life, including adulthood. According to the theory, the primary basis for good attachment is a mother who is present, responsive, warm, and caring. After an infant establishes a good bond with the mother, bonds with others are formed more easily.
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