Cognitive Theories

Cognitive Theories

Introduction

Cognitive development is the development of the capabilities of individuals being learners. These theories demonstrate that, how individuals tend to develop knowledge of their own living and, entire world. The first theory of cognitive development was proposed by Jean Piaget and, other theories were introduced by Vygotsky and Bruner.

Discussion on Similarities and Differences

In this paper, we shall compare and contrast all the three different cognitive theories by Piaget, Vygotsky and Bruner.

Organization

Piaget's theory had the major contribution in the psychology of 1896-1980 and, he believed that, the way of thinking of a child is different at all stages. He did not see any aspect of knowledge and skills and, focused on the structural changes in the child as, the child grows he may get mature with the passage of time. There is the conflict in the child thinking because, child don't see the real world and, view each thing with his childish attitude (Piaget, J., 1964a). For example, child will think a small object as the lighter one and, the large object as the heavier one but, with the passage of time when he grows, he recognizes different weights and objects. Piaget's theory just reflected the structural change that, child may realize the real world as time passes and, experience happenings in his life. Piaget's theory believed that, cognitive development is the genesis of structure and, child find the world on the basis of different structures (Piaget, J., 1964a). Piaget theory described that, learning is also the similar thing as the change of structure and, new cognitive structure is the result of the process.

Bruner's theory in the contrast to Piaget's theory believed that, there are three major types of representation and, he divided all the stages of the child's life into three stages (Bruner, J.S., 1964). Bruner's theory ...