PSYC2002 Study Guide - Final Guide: 18 Months, Object Permanence, Spatial Memory

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21 May 2018
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Cognitive Development
What is cognitive development?
Cognition - mental processes that allow humans to understand their environment and respond to it in
adaptive ways, eg: attention, memory, executive functions (result in products such as representations,
concepts, beliefs, attitudes).
Cognitive development - the development of cognitive processes across the lifespan.
We represent our own physical and mental states and those of others.
We have complex memory and reasoning systems that allow us to represent and think about abstract
concepts.
We have language.
Explaining how these processes develop is no easy task.
o Piaget - universal, domain general-changes in thinking/knowledge.
o Information processing - changes in complexity and efficiency of mental hardware and
software.
o Core knowledge - specialised cognitive mechanisms for learning key areas important for
adaptation and survival.
o Vygotsky - transmission of knowledge, skills, etc. of specific cultures through social interaction.
Piaget: Key Assumptions
1. Cognitive development passes through a number of discrete developmental stages, i.e. sensorimotor,
preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational.
2. Domain-general development
3. Stage invariance
4. Universal pattern of development
Evaluating Piaget
Central tenet of constructivism is that development is gradual and (for Piaget) slow.
But does object permanence really take 18 months to develop - task demands associated with Piaget's
tests might affect performance.
Reducing performance demands improves infants' performance.
Sensorimotor
Period (birth-
2yo)
Primary circular reactions (substage 2, 1-4 months): random movements that lead to unexpected
pleasant outcome, eg: accidentally touch mouth sucking (get milk so leads to repetition).
Secondary circular reactions (substage 3, 4-8 months): similar to primary CRs, but actions do not
involve direct sensory stimulation. Instead involve them accidentally learning about the world, eg:
repetitive dropping of toys from highchair.
Tertiary circular reaction (substage 5, 12-18 months): active experimentation with world, eg:
repetitive but creative dropping of toys.
Object Permanence
Understanding that objects continue to exist when they are removed from our direct sensory
experience.
Piaget argued that children don't fully understand the permanence of objects until they're older
than 18 months.
Prior to 8 months children won't even search for hidden objects.
A-not-B Error
Past 8 months infants search for hidden objects, but there are significant limitations.
Even up to 18 months, infants have trouble with invisible displacement.
Eg: Bjork and Cummings (1984) - A-not-B error due to limitations in spatial memory, not object
permanence.
8-11 months - rarely made A-not-B errors, but often searched in hiding spot next to B.
Imitation
Shows children can represent and repeat an observed behaviour.
Imitation is a powerful tool for acquiring new skills and behaviours.
Piaget: development is slow, earliest emergence 6-8 months, but still very basic.
Meltzoff and Moore (1977) - infant imitation of facial expressions.
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Document Summary

Cognition - mental processes that allow humans to understand their environment and respond to it in adaptive ways, eg: attention, memory, executive functions (result in products such as representations, concepts, beliefs, attitudes). Explaining how these processes develop is no easy task: piaget - universal, domain general-changes in thinking/knowledge. Piaget: key assumptions: cognitive development passes through a number of discrete developmental stages, i. e. sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational, domain-general development, stage invariance, universal pattern of development. Instead involve them accidentally learning about the world, eg: repetitive dropping of toys from highchair: tertiary circular reaction (substage 5, 12-18 months): active experimentation with world, eg: repetitive but creative dropping of toys. Object permanence: understanding that objects continue to exist when they are removed from our direct sensory experience. Piaget argued that children don"t fully understand the permanence of objects until they"re older than 18 months. Prior to 8 months children won"t even search for hidden objects.