Paiget's theory of cognitive development.

Paiget's theory of cognitive development is one of the most influential theories in child development. It outlines five distinct stages of cognitive development: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational, and postformal. Many adults seem to be stuck in one of these five stages, which can explain why they behave the way they do.

The sensorimotor stage is the earliest stage of cognitive development, lasting from birth to about 2 years of age. During this stage, infants and toddlers learn about the world around them through their senses and motor abilities. They are constantly exploring and trying to make sense of their surroundings.

The preoperational stage is the next stage of cognitive development, lasting from about 2 to 7 years of age. During this stage, children learn to use symbols and to think logically. They can begin to understand concepts such as time, space, and quantity. However, they still think very concretely and have difficulty understanding abstract concepts.

The concrete operational stage is the third stage of cognitive development, lasting from about 7 to 11 years of age. During this stage, children learn to think logically about concrete objects and events. They can solve problems and understand concepts such as conservation and probability.

The formal operational stage is the fourth stage of cognitive development, lasting from about 11 years of age onwards. During this stage, individuals learn to think abstractly and to solve problems using logical reasoning. They can understand concepts such as cause and effect, and they can make plans and formulate hypotheses.

The postformal stage is the fifth and final stage of cognitive development. It is sometimes called the 'post- Piagetian' stage because it goes beyond the scope of Piaget's theory. This stage has been described as a 'period of reflective abstraction' (commons.wikimedia.org, 2016). During this stage, individuals continue to develop their thinking skills and to reflect on their own beliefs and values. They may also start to question the validity of received knowledge and to think about social issues in a more critical way.

So why do so many adults seem to be stuck in one of these five stages? There are a number of possible explanations. Firstly, Piaget's theory is a model of cognitive development, not a theory of adult development. It is possible that some adults never reach the higher stages of cognitive development because they do not have the opportunity or the motivation to do so. Secondly, even if an individual does reach the formal operational stage, they may not always use higher-order thinking skills. Adults may resort to concrete thinking when they are under stress or when they are faced with a complex problem. Thirdly, the postformal stage of cognitive development is not yet well understood, so it is possible that not many adults have reached this stage.

However, regardless of the reasons why adults seem to be stuck in one of the five stages of cognitive development, it is clear that Piaget's theory can offer valuable insights into adult behavior. adults who are stuck in the sensorimotor or preoperational stage may be concrete thinkers who have difficulty understanding abstract concepts. They may also be egocentric and unable to see things from another person's perspective. Adults who are stuck in the formal operational stage may be overly reliant on logic and reason, and they may find it difficult to empathize with others. Finally, adults who are in the postformal stage may be able to think critically about social issues and to challenge received knowledge.

References

2.1 cognitive development: The theory of Jean Piaget – Foundations of educational technology. (2019, August 15). OPEN OKSTATE. https://open.library.okstate.edu/foundationsofeducationaltechnology/chapter/2-cognitive-development-the-theory-of-jean-piaget/

Cherry, K. (2006, February 13). Piaget's 4 stages of cognitive development explained. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/piagets-stages-of-cognitive-development-2795457

Cherry, K. (2006, February 13). Characteristics of concrete operational stage in cognitive development. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/concrete-operational-stage-of-cognitive-development-2795458