Question 1

Rhonda is currently 9 years old. Rhonda is most likely in the _______ stage of cognitive development.

Accepted Answer

According to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the concrete operational stage typically occurs between the ages of 7 and 11. This stage is characterized by the development of logical thought and the ability to handle abstract concepts in a more concrete manner. Given that Rhonda is 9 years old, she is most likely in the concrete operational stage.

Question 2

In one elementary school curriculum, mathematical variables first appear in the sixth grade. Why are they not introduced in the fourth or fifth grade

Accepted Answer

Children in the concrete operational stage, which typically includes ages 7 to 11, focus on concrete thinking and may struggle with abstract concepts like variables. Jean Piaget, a developmental psychologist, suggested that children in this stage have not yet developed the ability to systematically handle abstract concepts such as hypothetical situations or variables, which are better grasped in the formal operational stage that begins around age 12.

Question 3

Edward is currently in the second grade. According to Piaget, Edward is in the ________ stage of cognitive development.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Edward is currently in the second grade....

Question 4

Which of the following is a description of Piaget's concrete operational stage

Accepted Answer

During the concrete operational stage, which typically occurs between the ages of 7 and 11, children gain a better understanding of mental operations. They start thinking logically about concrete events, grasp the concept of conservation, and can perform operations such as ordering and sorting objects. This stage is characterized by the development of logical thought concerning concrete objects, understanding of time, space, and quantity, but not yet capable of abstract thinking.

Question 5

When an infant recognizes that objects continue to exist even when they are no longer in sight, the infant has attained what Piaget termed:

Accepted Answer

Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be observed (seen, heard, touched, smelled, or sensed in any way). This is a fundamental concept studied in the field of developmental psychology, a part of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development in infants.

Question 6

Mr. Eseston asks Colin if he wants his sandwich in one piece, or cut into two pieces. Colin asks him to keep it in one piece because he isn't hungry enough to eat two pieces. Colin's answer suggests that he

Accepted Answer

Colin's answer suggests he does not yet understand conservation, which is the understanding that quantity does not change with physical rearrangement or appearance. He believes that cutting the sandwich into two pieces somehow increases the amount of food.

Question 7

During the sensorimotor period

Accepted Answer

During the sensorimotor period, which spans from birth to approximately 2 years of age, children explore and understand the world primarily through their sensory experiences (such as seeing and touching) and through their motor actions. This is when they start forming schemas or concepts about the objects and events in their environment based on these sensory and motor experiences.

Question 8

Jay complains to his father that he wants more juice. His father takes the juice Jay has in his glass and pours it into a taller but narrower glass. Jay is now content that he has more juice. Jay has apparently failed to develop:

Accepted Answer

Jay's contentment after his juice is poured into a taller, narrower glass indicates a failure to understand conservation, which is the concept that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape or appearance. This is a cognitive development milestone typically mastered during the concrete operational stage of Piaget's theory of cognitive development.

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT a criticism that has been leveled at Piaget's theory of cognitive development

Accepted Answer

Piaget has been criticized for underestimating children's cognitive abilities, not overestimating them. Critics argue that children can perform tasks at earlier ages than Piaget suggested when given appropriate instruction and context.

Question 10

Which of the following is a description of Piaget's preoperational stage

Accepted Answer

During Piaget's preoperational stage, which occurs roughly between the ages of 2 and 7, children begin to engage in symbolic play and learn to manipulate symbols, but they do not yet understand concrete logic. The ability to form mental images is a key part of this stage, as it reflects the development of symbolic thought.

Question 11

With respect to Piaget's assessment of children's cognitive abilities, recent research suggests that, in general, Piaget _________ children's capabilities.

Accepted Answer

Recent research suggests that Piaget underestimated children's cognitive abilities. Studies have shown that children can perform tasks at earlier ages than Piaget proposed, indicating that their cognitive development may be more advanced than he originally theorized.

Question 12

A child demonstrates object permanence, egocentrism, and a failure to conserve. She is most likely in which Piagetian stage

Accepted Answer

The child in question is demonstrating characteristics of the preoperational stage, including object permanence (understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight), egocentrism (difficulty understanding other perspectives), and a failure to conserve (lack of understanding that changing the physical appearance of an object does not change its basic properties).

Question 13

To stop baby Rudy from fussing for a sharp knife on the kitchen table, Rudy's mother put it in her apron. "Out of sight, out of mind," she said, and it worked. Rudy's mother capitalized on Rudy's lack of:

Accepted Answer

Rudy's mother capitalized on Rudy's lack of object permanence, which is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or otherwise sensed. By putting the knife out of Rudy's sight, she relied on his developmental stage where he might not yet understand that the knife still exists even though he can no longer see it.

Question 14

Which of the following is a description of Piaget's sensorimotor stage

Accepted Answer

Piaget's sensorimotor stage, which occurs from birth to approximately 2 years of age, is characterized by the child's understanding of the world through sensory experiences and manipulating objects. At this stage, children learn about the world by using their senses and motor actions.

Question 15

A four-year-old child is shown a row of seven red checkers. He is asked to place a black checker immediately above each red one. On doing so, the child agrees that there are as many red as black checkers. The experimenter then spreads out the black checkers so that the line they form is longer than that formed by the red checkers. The experimenter asks whether there are more red checkers or more black checkers in order to determine whether the child:

Accepted Answer

This scenario tests for the concept of conservation, which is the understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape or arrangement. The child's ability to recognize that the number of checkers hasn't changed, despite the difference in the spatial arrangement, would indicate they have developed this cognitive skill.

Question 16

Some Western legal systems denote either 7 or 8 as the age at which a child attains the ability to reason. Is such a designation defensible from a Piagetian standpoint

Accepted Answer

Children begin to develop basic reasoning skills during the concrete operational stage, which typically starts around age 7 or 8 according to Piaget's theory of cognitive development. This stage is characterized by the development of logical thought and the ability to perform operations on concrete objects, supporting the idea that children at this age can indeed reason to some extent.

Question 17

Which of the following does NOT accurately reflect a contribution of Piaget's theory of cognitive development

Accepted Answer

Piaget's theory of cognitive development has been influential and has inspired many other theories and educational practices. However, one of the criticisms of his theory is the lack of strong empirical support for the idea that development proceeds in distinct stages. Research has shown that cognitive development can be more gradual and continuous than Piaget proposed.

Question 18

Which of the following statements best expresses preoperational children's degree of cognitive sophistication

Accepted Answer

Preoperational children, typically aged 2-7, are known for their ability to use language and symbols to represent objects, which is a key feature of this cognitive stage according to Piaget's theory. However, they struggle with tasks requiring the understanding of conservation and taking another's viewpoint.

Question 19

A four-year-old looks at a picture of a dragon while on the telephone with her grandfather. If Piaget's claims of egocentrism are correct, the child is likely to:

Accepted Answer

Piaget's concept of egocentrism in children refers to their difficulty in understanding that other people do not share the same perspective or have the same information as they do. In this scenario, telling her grandfather to look at the dragon demonstrates this egocentrism, as the child assumes her grandfather can see the picture just because she can, despite the physical impossibility over a telephone conversation.

Question 20

Which of the following is a description of Piaget's formal operational stage

Accepted Answer

Piaget's formal operational stage, typically beginning around age 11, is characterized by the ability to think abstractly and reason hypothetically. This stage allows for the consideration of possibilities and the use of deductive logic.

Quiz 6: Growing and Developing