Question 1

A major concept of Piaget's that has been questioned by more recent psychologists is

Accepted Answer

While Piaget's theory of cognitive development is highly influential, some psychologists have questioned the idea of fixed stages of development. They argue that development is more continuous and influenced by various factors other than age.

Question 2

Studies performed since Piaget's time have shown that ______ can be trained to perform formal operational tasks after only brief instruction.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that concrete operational children can be trained to perform formal operational tasks after only brief instruction. While animals have shown some ability to reason and problem-solve, they do not reach the level of formal operational thinking that Piaget described. Sensorimotor and preoperational children are not yet at the developmental level for formal operational thinking.

Question 3

Regarding Piaget's concept of the formal operational stage, more recent studies have shown that

Accepted Answer

Recent research suggests that the formal operational stage, characterized by the ability to think abstractly and hypothetically, is not reached by everyone. This challenges Piaget's original assumption that this stage is a universal phase of cognitive development.

Question 4

Piaget's ideas have been at the heart of some modern psycho-pedagogical strategies, particularly "discovery learning," in which children are encouraged to discover important aspects of learning through

Accepted Answer

Piaget believed that learning is most effective when children actively engage with their environment through exploration and experimentation. Discovery learning encourages this type of active experimentation and is therefore consistent with Piaget's theories. Peer mentoring and direct instruction may also be used as part of a discovery learning approach, but they are not central to Piaget's ideas about how children learn. Piaget did propose a series of stages of cognitive development, but this is not directly related to the concept of discovery learning.

Question 5

The task of discovering what factor or combination of factors causes differences in the rate that a pendulum oscillates requires

Accepted Answer

The task of discovering what factor or combination of factors causes differences in the rate that a pendulum oscillates requires inductive reasoning, which involves collecting data and making observations in order to determine a pattern or cause-and-effect relationship. Concrete reasoning and technical reasoning may be involved in the process of collecting data, but they alone cannot determine the cause of differences in oscillation rates. Deductive reasoning involves drawing specific conclusions from general principles, and is not as applicable in this scenario as inductive reasoning.

Question 6

Studies that applied Piaget's theory were done on primates, and the findings include all of the following except

Accepted Answer

Piaget's theory, primarily focused on human cognitive development, suggests that primates share similar developmental stages, but there's no evidence to suggest that monkeys and apes exhibit more evenness in their sensorimotor accomplishments compared to humans. The other options (A, B, C) align with findings from studies applying Piaget's theory to primates, indicating similarities and differences in cognitive development based on genetic closeness and developmental speed.

Question 7

Why is Piaget still much studied by psychologists?

Accepted Answer

Piaget's theories of cognitive development have provided a foundational understanding of how children develop and learn. Many contemporary theories and researchers continue to build upon and expand upon Piaget's work, making it a valuable and relevant area of study in psychology.

Question 8

Piaget's ideas have been extremely influential not only in psychology, but also in

Accepted Answer

Piaget's ideas have had a significant impact on the field of education, particularly in the development of constructivist approaches to learning and teaching.

Question 9

From the studies that applied Piaget's theory to animals, we can conclude that many concepts described by Piaget

Accepted Answer

From the studies that applied Piaget's theory to animals, we can conclude that many concepts described by Piaget are involved in solving real-world problems facing most animals. Researchers have observed animals engaging in sensorimotor and cognitive processes that are similar to those described by Piaget, such as object permanence and problem-solving through trial and error. Therefore, it can be inferred that Piaget's concepts are not only applicable to human cognition but also to that of animals.

Question 10

In general, Piaget's theory was one of competence-what he believed children of a certain age or stage

Accepted Answer

Piaget's theory focused on the cognitive development of children and how they gain competence in their mental processes. He believed that children's current level of cognitive ability determined what they were capable of doing at a certain age or stage, indicating that the correct answer is C, which emphasizes what children were able to do. The other options (A, B, D) are either not applicable or not fully accurate to Piaget's theory, as it is not simply what children have been taught, wanted, or actually did, but rather about their inherent cognitive abilities and development.

Question 11

Regarding the timing of skills at certain ages, it has been generally found that

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that children often demonstrate more advanced cognitive abilities at earlier ages than Piaget originally proposed, indicating they are more competent than he suggested.

Question 12

Piaget viewed adolescents as being all of the following except

Accepted Answer

Piaget did not view adolescence as being universally emotionally stressed, as this would depend on individual circumstances and experiences. However, he did view adolescents as being insightful, egocentric, and self-conscious.

Question 13

What is the most substantial limitation in applying Piaget's theory to nonhuman animals?

Accepted Answer

Piaget's theory heavily relies on mental representation, which may not be present in nonhuman animals to the same extent as it is in humans. Therefore, it is challenging to apply his theory to nonhuman animals accurately.

Question 14

Which of the following ideas that Piaget had about the formal operational stage is shared by modern psychologists?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following ideas that Piaget...

Question 15

Elkind-not Piaget-has described adolescents' belief that they are unique and invulnerable as

Accepted Answer

Elkind has described adolescents' belief that they are unique and invulnerable as a "personal fable," which is the idea that they are somehow special, unique, and invincible. This belief is based on the thought that they are the only ones who have ever experienced such feelings or undergone such situations, and thus they must be different from others. This idea has been extensively researched in the psychology of adolescence, and it is widely considered one of the defining characteristics of this stage of life.

Question 16

According to Piaget, a formal operational child's thinking is characterized by all of the following except

Accepted Answer

Piaget's theory of cognitive development suggests that during the formal operational stage, children (approximately age 11 and older) develop the ability to think abstractly, reason logically, and consider hypothetical situations. This does not mean their thinking is detached from reality; rather, they can now apply logical reasoning to abstract and concrete information alike. Choices A, C, and D accurately describe aspects of formal operational thought, such as the ability to think about abstract concepts, consider possibilities beyond the current reality, and systematically solve problems through hypothesis testing.

Question 17

Which of the following views stages as a useful concept if it is used more flexibly than Piaget did?

Accepted Answer

Neo-Piagetian theorists view stages as a useful concept, but believe that they are more flexible and can overlap or coexist with each other. They also emphasize the role of individual differences, context, and culture in cognitive development.

Question 18

Information-processing theorists, who dominated the field of cognitive development in the late 20th century, essentially viewed children's minds as analogous to

Accepted Answer

Information-processing theorists viewed children's minds as developing computers, in that they receive, process, store, and retrieve information over time through a series of cognitive processes. This perspective emphasizes the importance of attention, memory, and problem-solving skills in children's cognitive development.

Question 19

Contrary to Piaget's ideas about infants, more recent studies have shown that they may possess

Accepted Answer

Recent studies have shown that infants may possess symbolic competencies, which means that they are capable of using symbols, such as gestures or words, to communicate and represent their thoughts and feelings. Piaget believed that infants lacked the ability to use symbols until around 18 months of age.

Question 20

One main difference between concrete operational thinkers and formal operational thinkers is that ____

Accepted Answer

The answer of One main difference between concrete operational thinkers...

Quiz 6: The Symbolic Child: Piagets Theory and Beyond