6.2

Cognitive Development (Piaget)

AP Psychology

Core concepts

Schemas

Assimilation

Accommodation

How they work together

Piaget's four stages

Stage 1: Sensorimotor (birth to ~2 years)

Key achievement: Object permanence

Stranger anxiety

Stage 2: Preoperational (2-7 years)

Abilities

Limitations

Stage 3: Concrete Operational (7-11 years)

Key achievements

Limitation

Stage 4: Formal Operational (12+ years)

Key abilities

Criticisms of Piaget

Baillargeon's research

Vygotsky's sociocultural theory

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

Scaffolding

Key difference from Piaget

AP Exam Tips

Common Mistakes

Key Vocabulary