Cognitive Development
Definition
Cognitive Development refers to how a person perceives, thinks about, and gains understanding of their world through interaction and influence of genetic and learned factors.
Analogy
Imagine cognitive development as growing tree. The seedling (infant brain) starts off small but grows branches (skills & knowledge) over time due to both its genetic makeup (nature) & environmental conditions (nurture).
Related terms
Cognitive Psychology: This is the scientific study of mind as an information processor - it looks at how we process information we receive and how this processing leads us to respond in certain ways.
Neuroplasticity: This term refers to brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. It allows neurons in the brain to compensate for injury or disease or adjust their activities in response to new situations or changes in the environment.
Assimilation: In context of cognitive development, assimilation is the process by which we take in new information and incorporate it into our existing mental framework.
"Cognitive Development" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (20+)
- _____ believed that a child's moral judgements build on cognitive development. ______ agreed and sought to describe the development of moral reasoning
- What is the main cognitive development in the sensorimotor stage according to Piaget?
- How does Vygotsky's theory differ from Piaget's regarding cognitive development?
- Which research method would be most appropriate for challenging the widely accepted theory of cognitive development proposed by Piaget?
- What is a valid critique of Piaget's theory regarding cognitive development and brain plasticity?
- What is object permanence in cognitive development?
- Which psychologist proposed the four stages of cognitive development in children?
- How does exposure to enriched environments during early childhood contribute to cognitive development according to neuroplasticity?
- Which theory of cognitive development, when applied to language acquisition in children, most closely aligns with the concept of "zone of proximal development"?
- Who proposed the four stages of cognitive development?
- Which psychologist is most closely associated with the field of cognitive development in children?
- Which theory is specific to cognitive development and includes stages such as concrete operational and formal operational?
- According to Vygotsky’s theory, what role does social interaction play in cognitive development?
- Who is most associated with the theory of cognitive development in children?
- How does information processing theory describe cognitive development in children?
- Which theorist proposed that children's cognitive development progresses through specific stages marked by qualitative differences?
- Which psychologist is most closely associated with the theory of cognitive development in children?
- Who proposed five distinct levels of cognitive development as opposed to stages?
- Which experiment would best examine the influence of memory reinforcement strategies on cognitive development in children?
- Which experimental setup would be most suitable for evaluating the effect of sensorimotor activities on cognitive development in toddlers?
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