Jean Piaget
Definition
Jean Piaget was a Swiss psychologist known for his work on child development. He proposed the theory of cognitive development, which explains how a child constructs a mental model of the world.
Analogy
Think of Jean Piaget as an architect who designs blueprints (theories) for buildings (children's minds). Just like an architect plans out different rooms and spaces for different purposes in a building, Piaget outlined stages in children's cognitive development.
Related terms
Developmental Psychology: This is the scientific study of how and why human beings change over the course of their life. It involves growth and changes in physical abilities, cognitive skills, emotional patterns, social roles etc.
Child Psychology: This branch of psychology deals with the mental processes and behavior of children from prenatal development through adolescence.
Theory of Mind: This is the ability to attribute mental states—beliefs, intents, desires, emotions—to oneself and others and to understand that others have beliefs, desires, intentions, and perspectives that are different from one's own.
"Jean Piaget" appears in:
Study guides (3)
Practice Questions (4)
- How has Jean Piaget's cognitive development theory enhanced our understanding regarding language acquisition?
- According to Jean Piaget’s theory, at what age does a child typically reach the formal operational phase?
- From Jean Piaget’s perspective, which term represents a child’s understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen?
- How does Jean Piaget's "Formal Operational Stage" of cognitive development play a role in adolescent decision-making patterns?
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