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

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Stranger anxiety

Stage 2: Preoperational (2-7 years)

Abilities

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Limitations

Stage 3: Concrete Operational (7-11 years)

Key achievements

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Limitation

Stage 4: Formal Operational (12+ years)

Key abilities

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Criticisms of Piaget

Baillargeon's research

Vygotsky's sociocultural theory

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

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Scaffolding

Key difference from Piaget

AP Exam Tips

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Common Mistakes

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Key Vocabulary