Comparing
and
Contrasting
Theories of
Cognitive
Development
Piaget
Child's thinking develops through
active exploration of the
environment and that children
construct their own knowledge
through play and experience
His theory is similar
to the Informational
Processing approach,
as they both describe
the child going
through four stages to
develop their cognitive
abilities.
His theory is different to
the approach proposed by
Vygotsky, whose approach
is unlike Piagets in the fact
that he proposed children
are taught different
abilities as opposed to
discovering them
Vygotsky
His theory proposed the
importance of adults in the
development of a childs
cognitive abilities, stating
how children are taught
these abilities before having
independance given to
them.
Vygotsky's theory is different
to Piaget's, as unlike piaget
he placed an emphasis on
the role of adults in the
development of a child,
stating how they need to be
encouraged as opposed to
letting them discover the
abilities on their own.
Theory of
Cognitive
Development
Nativist
We are born with an
innate cognitive
structures which
determine cognitive
ability. Any
developmental
changes are simply
due to genetic
pre-disposition.
Similar to Piaget's
theory in that they both
state how we are born
with some innate
cognitive abilities
The theory is
different to
Vygotsky with the
Nature/Nurture
debate. Nativist is
highly Nature,
whereas Vygotsky
is highly nurture
Informational
Processing
Approach
I.P Approach
is different to
Piaget's
theory as the
data collected
is different. I.P
is
Quantitative,
Piaget is
Qualititative
(See Piaget for
similarity)
Focuses on problem
solving, memory and
how humans are
similar to computers