Report (Jean Piaget)
Biographical Information
Jean Piaget was born on August 9, 1986 in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. The Swiss biologist, psychologist, and philosopher passed away on September 17, 1980 without any specification to the cause of his death. The location of death for the renowned psychologist is noted as Geneva, Switzerland. Jean Piaget’s occupation and focus was the field of psychology. As a child, he studied naturalistic science. By the age of 11, he was involved in research activity through the publication of a short paper on the context of an albino sparrow. Jean Piaget focused on the study of natural sciences and obtained Ph.D. in Zoology at the University of Neuchâtel in 1918. James M. Baldwin mainly mentored Jean Piaget in the development of the famous psychology principles and theories. Jean Piaget is considered as one of the thinkers with immense effect on the educational world particularly in relation to the education of children. He specialized in child development thus the description of the various stages towards cognitive development.
Theoretical Information
Jean Piaget is known for the development of various principles and theories. One of the most essential contributions is the essence of cognitive development in the development of a child. In this theory, Piaget focused on the illustration of four critical stages for the realization of effective cognitive development in childhood. These stages include sensorimotor stage, Preoperational stage, Concrete operational stage, and Formal operation stage. Piaget was also essential in the development of two critical principles: adaptation and organization for the guidance of the biological development and intellectual growth. Organization principle states that mind of any social being is organized in integrated and complex ways. Adaptation principle focuses on the integration of external events into mental structures by human beings. In the illustration of these principles, Piaget adopted four critical concepts: mental structures, assimilation, accommodation, and equilibration. Mental structures refer to the conceptual framing through which human beings make sense of the world. Assimilation is the concept of making sense of the world through integration of mental structures. Accommodation is adjusting of one’s mental structures to new events or realities. Equilibration refers to the balancing of assimilation and accommodation towards the achievement of intellectual stability.
Criticisms
Jean Piaget has been criticized majorly on three grounds. The first aspect of criticism is the concept of underestimating children’s intellectual abilities in the description of tasks with confusing terms and abstracts. The theory in relation to cognitive development also illustrates on a similar level of thinking across the tasks. Another criticism focuses overlooking cultural effects in the studying of development in children. Another level of criticism is the lack of scientific methods such as lack of controls, statistical analysis, and small samples in the examination of cognitive development, in children.
Applications
Jean Piaget has influenced the concept of personal psychology through elaboration and development of the cognitive development theory. This theory proves to be a revelation to the study of development of children through the four stages of cognitive development. The reflection of the four concepts: adaptation, mental structures, assimilation, and equilibration enable the understanding of biological development and intellectual growth.
Extensions
Jean Piaget makes a great impact in the development of the curriculum by teachers in the modern schools. This is through incorporation of the concept or theory of constructivism in learning curriculum while planning for the logical growth and conceptual development of students. This theory indicates that individuals generate knowledge and deduce meaning through experiences. This theory illustrates learning theories, teaching tactics, and educational reforms.
Works Cited
“Jean Piaget: Mapping the Growing Mind.” Time 94.24 (1969): 63. Academic Search Premier. Web. 17 Feb. 2013.
“Jean Piaget.” Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition (2011): 1. Academic Search Premier. Web. 17 Feb. 2013.
Lourenco, Orlando, & Armando Machado. “In Defense Of Piaget’s Theory: A Reply To 10 Common Criticisms.” Psychological Review 103.1 (1996): 143. Academic Search Premier. Web. 17 Feb. 2013.
Cavanaugh, John C, and Fredda Blanchard-Fields. Adult Development and Aging. Australia: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2009. Print.
