Jean Piaget (1986 - 1980) has been one of the most influential figures in psychology's history, Piaget was interested in the ways in which childrens' cognitive capacities develop.

... Jean Piaget (1986 - 1980) has been one of the most influential figures in psychology's history, Piaget was interested in the ways in which childrens' cognitive capacities develop. One of the most important contributions that Piaget made, was to establish the fact that the cognitive processes of young children are not simply immature versions of that of an adult, but that they have their very own rules. As will become apparent in this essay Piaget's theory and his findings have been widely challenged and as with all good theories have generated an enormous amount of research. Based originally on observations of his own three children, Piaget contended that cognitive development is constructed into four stages, this essay will examine each stage individually and then evaluate Piaget's theories by exploring some of the major criticisms and supporting views. These stages are held to be invariant, that is, all children pass through them in

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