Piaget's Theory of Childhood Cognitive Development

The following research paper presents an early middle childhood and adolescent Piaget activity. An experiment with young and adolescent children was performed and findings are presented. An introduction to Piaget's theory of cognitive development is followed by a description of the sample and procedures, observations, and analysis of the results. Conclusions present a discussion of findings, what was learned, and implications of results.

Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development

Piaget hypothesized that infants are born with schemes or mental organizations operating at birth, called reflexes. Human beings use these reflexes to adapt to the environment until they are replaced with constructed schemes. Piaget described assimilation and accommodation, two processes used by the individual in its attempt to adapt to the environment. Both of these processes are used throughout life as the person increasingly adapts to the environment in a more complex manner (Atherton, 2003).

Piaget identified stages of cognitive development (Freeman, Simon, Beutler, & Arkowitz, 1989; Inhelder & Piaget, 1969): The sensorimotor stage (Birth - 2 years) is demonstrated through motor activity without the use of symbols. At early stages the child is egocentric and learns to differentiate the self from objects. Knowledge is built based on physical interactions and experiences. Children acquire object permanence at abou