Psychologist Jean Piaget Universal Conservation and Culture
Selina Grimsley- Gooden
Essex County College
Psychology and Development PSY219 OL
Professor Niya Baraka, Final December 11, 2016
Abstract
The purpose of this final report is to declare the importance of Psychologist Jean Piaget theory of universal conservation and the influences it has had on childhood development, education, and the Constructivist Model. In the attempt to accurately explain the impact of the theory, the research began with a clear explanation of Piaget’s Cognitive Development, the theory and it results. Piaget was of the opinion that all children everywhere in the world learn the same things around the same time across the globe. This particular theory labeled as …show more content…
Piaget’s especially held this position in his understanding of the third stage of conversion. Most importantly the theory concluded that all children must complete each stage of the developmental progress to ensure proper intellectual growth and that the stages are universal. “The most cited quote in reference to Piaget and his research of cognitive development is as follows: (Heffner, 2014) Piaget 's concrete operational process, specifically step three, universal conservation, suggest that at approximate age seven to twelve children will gain knowledge and the ability to supply reasonable explanations for decisions, such as reversibility, for conservation.” Piaget admitted stated that that development will not always follow an absolute pathway, but that it is instinctive and universal. The universal ideal and the experimental tasks used by Piaget have been heavily debated. The Piaget’s most famous experiment used to confirm universal conversion is the beaker task. The following paraphrase was taken gained from information obtained by Professors Call and Rochat of Emory University. (Call, Rochat 1996) “The conservation of liquid project (beaker task) involved showing Western European children, two beakers both of which were identical and which contained the …show more content…
Both psychologists agree that children develop and learn differently and that the experience of learning happens in stages. “Both have contributed to the field of education by offering explanations for children 's cognitive learning styles and abilities.” (Woolfolk, 2004) An early childhood educational model that mimics both theories is called the Constructivist Model which focuses on the physical, mental, emotional and cognitive competencies of the child. Piaget was of the opinion that all children everywhere in the world learn the same things around the same time across the globe. Vygotsky disagreed with this opinion; he believed that all cultures learn different things at different times and according to cultural preference. One of his primary theories was Sociocultural Theory. This theory suggests that all children learn from a guide, such as their teacher who is more educated than they are. “Vygotsky also views interaction with peers as an effective way of developing skills and strategies.” (McLeod 2014). According to more current studies, cultural is very relevant to development as described in the following quote: “Whilst Piaget acknowledged that social development occurs in parallel to the cognitive development he argued that it had little influence upon it. Vygotsky, the Russian Psychologist who was developing his Theory of Social Constructivism at the same time, argued that
Selina Grimsley- Gooden
Essex County College
Psychology and Development PSY219 OL
Professor Niya Baraka, Final December 11, 2016
Abstract
The purpose of this final report is to declare the importance of Psychologist Jean Piaget theory of universal conservation and the influences it has had on childhood development, education, and the Constructivist Model. In the attempt to accurately explain the impact of the theory, the research began with a clear explanation of Piaget’s Cognitive Development, the theory and it results. Piaget was of the opinion that all children everywhere in the world learn the same things around the same time across the globe. This particular theory labeled as …show more content…
Piaget’s especially held this position in his understanding of the third stage of conversion. Most importantly the theory concluded that all children must complete each stage of the developmental progress to ensure proper intellectual growth and that the stages are universal. “The most cited quote in reference to Piaget and his research of cognitive development is as follows: (Heffner, 2014) Piaget 's concrete operational process, specifically step three, universal conservation, suggest that at approximate age seven to twelve children will gain knowledge and the ability to supply reasonable explanations for decisions, such as reversibility, for conservation.” Piaget admitted stated that that development will not always follow an absolute pathway, but that it is instinctive and universal. The universal ideal and the experimental tasks used by Piaget have been heavily debated. The Piaget’s most famous experiment used to confirm universal conversion is the beaker task. The following paraphrase was taken gained from information obtained by Professors Call and Rochat of Emory University. (Call, Rochat 1996) “The conservation of liquid project (beaker task) involved showing Western European children, two beakers both of which were identical and which contained the …show more content…
Both psychologists agree that children develop and learn differently and that the experience of learning happens in stages. “Both have contributed to the field of education by offering explanations for children 's cognitive learning styles and abilities.” (Woolfolk, 2004) An early childhood educational model that mimics both theories is called the Constructivist Model which focuses on the physical, mental, emotional and cognitive competencies of the child. Piaget was of the opinion that all children everywhere in the world learn the same things around the same time across the globe. Vygotsky disagreed with this opinion; he believed that all cultures learn different things at different times and according to cultural preference. One of his primary theories was Sociocultural Theory. This theory suggests that all children learn from a guide, such as their teacher who is more educated than they are. “Vygotsky also views interaction with peers as an effective way of developing skills and strategies.” (McLeod 2014). According to more current studies, cultural is very relevant to development as described in the following quote: “Whilst Piaget acknowledged that social development occurs in parallel to the cognitive development he argued that it had little influence upon it. Vygotsky, the Russian Psychologist who was developing his Theory of Social Constructivism at the same time, argued that