PSYC 1130 - Cognitive Development

4.5 Credits

Students examine classic and current cognitive developmental theories utilized in the field of education. They examine stage theories in depth and their application to experiential and developmental environments. As students study stages of development, they learn implications for adaptation in the educational classroom setting and other real-world environments. Students gain experience in assessing cognitive levels, reporting such findings, and planning curriculum to enhance development. Students research current topics in cognitive development.

Recommended: College level reading is recommended.

Lecture Hours: 4.5
Lab Hours: 0.0
Internship Hours: 0.0
Clinical or Practicum Hours: 0.0

Course Objectives

Explain the relationship between Piaget’s background and his cognitive theory, and Lev Vygotsky’s background and his cognitive theory.
Delineate the strengths and weaknesses of Piaget’s and Vygotsky’s theories of cognitive development, including their contributions to the field of education and other disciplines.
Illustrate the following: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, formal operational, and postformal operational periods of development.
Relate the zone of proximal development, tools of the mind, and Vygotskian concepts to the educational setting.
Identify behavioral and information processing concepts.
Describe strengths and weaknesses of behavioral and information processing theories.
Practice assessing children using the semi-clinical interview approach and Piagetian interviews and interpreting the results.
Apply theories of cognitive development to the classroom setting.
Analyze current research on cognitive development.
Practice using APA-style format in writing assignments.

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