Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development

Main Stages of Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development

Assignment Brief:

The aim of this assessment is to show an understanding of theories and evidence of cognitive development. You will also develop your research and review skills.  You are to research and review Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. You are then required to submit a literature review report of your findings.

“A literature review is an evaluative report of information found in the literature related to your selected area of study.  The review should describe, summarise, evaluate and clarify this literature.”

Introduction: Research Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. Write an introduction to your literature review in which you:

Define what is meant by cognitive development (a.c. 1.1)

Describe the main stages of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. Use images to aid your descriptions (a.c. 1.2)

An explanation of the following key words: schema, assimilation, accommodation and equilibrium (a.c. 1.3)

Synopsis: Complete the main section of your literature review consisting of:

An evaluation of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development with reference to one other theory of cognitive development, for example; Vygotsky or Bruner (a.c.1.4)

An evaluation of the evidence produced from the following studies into cognitive development. Make sure you say whether these studies support or refute Piaget’s theory:

oMcGarrigle and Donaldson (1974) naughty teddy study

oHughes (1975) boy and the policeman study (a.c. 2.1)

Explain some of the methodological difficulties of conducting research into cognitive development e.g. working with children (a.c. 2.2)

Write a conclusion in which you:

Conclude your evaluation with a final judgement on how influential you think Piaget’s theory is

Reference section

Provide a detailed reference list including all the authors and research studies quoted using the Harvard method (reference list not included in word count).

Assessment Information for this Assignment

Assessment Criteria for Award of Credit

1.1 Define the term cognitive development

1.2 Describe the main stages of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development

1.3 Explain the importance of Piaget’s concepts of schema, assimilation, accommodation and equilibrium

1.4 Evaluate Piaget’s theories of cognitive development with reference to the ideas of other theorists

2.1 Evaluate evidence from studies of cognitive development and relate findings to theories of cognitive development

2.2 Explain some of the difficulties relating to research into cognitive development

Grading Information for this Assignment

Grade Descriptor: 1 Understanding of Subject

For a Merit your work or performance must: demonstrate a very good grasp of the relevant knowledge base.

For a Distinction your work or performance must: demonstrate an excellent grasp of the relevant knowledge base.

Key Concepts: Schema, Assimilation, Accommodation, and Equilibrium

Learner Guidance notes: To achieve a merit your literature review needs to make use of appropriate studies relevant to cognitive development, make some use of additional information and include use of the language included in the assessment criteria. For a distinction you need to make consistent use of appropriate studies relevant to cognitive development, make extensive use of additional information and include consistent use of the language included in the assessment criteria.

Grade Descriptor: 2 Application of Knowledge

For a Merit your work or performance must: make some use of additional theories with very good levels of accuracy and analysis.

For a Distinction your work or performance must: make extensive use of additional theories with excellent levels of accuracy and analysis.

Learner Guidance notes: To achieve a merit you need to discuss up to two additional examples of psychological research/studies over and above those discussed in class, with very good levels of precision in your description and evaluation. To achieve a distinction you need to discuss three or more additional examples of psychological research/studies over and above those discussed in class with excellent levels of precision in your description and evaluation.

Grade Descriptor: 5 Communication and Presentation

For a Merit your work or performance must: display a very good command of structure and some use of specialist/technical language.

For a Distinction your work or performance must: display an excellent command of structure and consistent use of specialist/technical language.

Learner Guidance notes: To achieve a merit your work needs to be very well structured including most of the relevant sections detailed in the assignment brief. Your literature review should include generally accurate use of specialist/technical terminology. To achieve a distinction your work needs to be excellently structured including all the relevant sections detailed in the assignment brief. Your literature review should include consistently accurate use of specialist/technical terminology.

Grade Descriptor: 7 Quality

For a Merit your work or performance must: put forward arguments or ideas which are generally clear and unambiguous but may be in a minor way limited or incomplete.

For a Distinction your work or performance must: put forward arguments or ideas which are consistently unambiguous, complete and cogent.

Learner Guidance notes: To achieve a merit your description and evaluation of theories/studies of cognitive development should be generally clear and unambiguous. To achieve a distinction your description and evaluation of theories/studies of cognitive development should be consistently unambiguous, complete and cogent.

Define the term cognitive development

Describe the main stages of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development

Explain the importance of Piaget’s concepts of schema, assimilation, accommodation and equilibrium

Evaluate Piaget’s theories of cognitive development with reference to the ideas of other theorists

Evaluate evidence from studies of cognitive development and relate findings to theories of cognitive development

Explain some of the difficulties relating to research into cognitive development

Tutor feedback on achievement against the assessment criteria if all assessment criteria have not been met.

1. Understanding of the subject:

2. Application of knowledge:

5. Communication and presentation:

1.Did you understand what this assignment required?

2.Did you find any section of the assignment particularly difficult?

3.Do you have any suggestions as to how the assignment could be improved?