Q11: COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT:
Cognitive development continues beyond formal operations
Discuss the statement by referring to relevant theories and research findings:
Q11:
This is one of the most exciting discoveries about the cognitive
development of adults. It refutes the stereotypical idea that no
further cognitive development takes place during the adult
years and that a peak of development is reached in young adulthood.
In answering this question, this is the point you will want to bring home.
Piaget’s view that the formal operational level of cognitive
development reached in adolescence is the final stage of
development (see pp. 201-202 in the prescribed book) must be
challenged. The various research findings on postformal
thought must be mentioned and the features of postformal
thought highlighted. Reference must also be made to the factors
that contribute to functioning on a postformal level (Cavanaugh
& Blanchard-Fields, 2019, pp. 204-207), such as decision making
and problem solving. The prize of optimal cognitive development in
adulthood, namely the achievement of a level of functioning
characterised by expertise and wisdom (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-
Fields, 2019, pp. 207-211) can round off your discussion on this
interesting topic.
(1.) begin your answer by briefly highlighting the relevant aspects
of Piaget’s formal operational period or formal operational
thought (to discuss the other periods of Piaget’s theory is irrelevant
and will not count any marks) [pp: 201-202]
(2.) then discuss the theory and research findings of post-
formal thought to illustrate the idea of movement from formal to
post-formal thought. Remember to mention the research of
researchers like King and Kitchener and others. What comes to mind
here is reflective judgement, the three styles of thinking, the
integration of emotion and logic. And impress us with the names
of the relevant researchers. [pp. 204-207]
(3.) do not forget to include decision making, problem solving,
expertise and wisdom in your discussion. Many students loose
Introduction: [Piaget’s Theory]:
Stereotype – no further cognitive development takes place during the
adult years
Piaget – intellectual development is adaptation through activity. We
create the ways our knowledge is organized and how we think
1
, The development of intelligence stems from the emergence of
increasingly complex cognitive structures
Piaget believed: changes during development involved cognitive
structures.
o 4 structures in the development of mature thought: sensorimotor;
preoperational; concrete operational and formal operation
Formal Operational Period:
Acquisition of formal operational thought during adolescence marks the
end of cognitive development since formal operational thinking
characterizes adult thought
4 aspects of formal operational thought:
o (1.) takes a hypothesis-testing approach (hypotheticodeductive) to
problem-solving
o (2.) thinking is done in one framework at a time
o (3.) the goal is to arrive at one correct solution
o (4.) it’s unconstrained by reality
It’s a way of conceiving abstract concepts & thinking about them in a very
systematic, step-by-step way
Governed by a generalized logical structure that provides solutions to
problems people have never seen and may never encounter
Hypotheticodeductive thought: forming a hypothesis and testing it until
it’s either confirmed or rejected
Formal operation thought is aimed at resolving ambiguity; one answer is
the goal
Problem for Piaget’s theory: many adults apparently don’t attain formal
operations. It is not universal but tended to appear only in those areas in
which individuals were highly trained or specialized
Going Beyond Formal Operations: Thinking in Adulthood:
Formal operational responses from adolescents clearly show the ambiguity
of the situation but also clearly reflect the need to search for the right
answer.
Riegel (1973, 1976) argued that formal operations were quite limited in
its applicability
Different type of thinking represents a qualitative change beyond formal
operations
Postformal thought: characterized by a recognition that truth (the
correct answer) may vary from situation to situation, solutions may be
realistic to unreasonable, ambiguity and contradiction are the rule rather
than the exception, and that emotion and subjective factors usually play a
role in thinking
Reflective Judgement:
Reflective judgement: a way adults’ reason through dilemmas involving
current affairs, religion, science, personal relationships etc.
King and Kitcher (2002, 2015) refined descriptions and identified a
systematic progression of reflective judgement in young adulthood:
2
Cognitive development continues beyond formal operations
Discuss the statement by referring to relevant theories and research findings:
Q11:
This is one of the most exciting discoveries about the cognitive
development of adults. It refutes the stereotypical idea that no
further cognitive development takes place during the adult
years and that a peak of development is reached in young adulthood.
In answering this question, this is the point you will want to bring home.
Piaget’s view that the formal operational level of cognitive
development reached in adolescence is the final stage of
development (see pp. 201-202 in the prescribed book) must be
challenged. The various research findings on postformal
thought must be mentioned and the features of postformal
thought highlighted. Reference must also be made to the factors
that contribute to functioning on a postformal level (Cavanaugh
& Blanchard-Fields, 2019, pp. 204-207), such as decision making
and problem solving. The prize of optimal cognitive development in
adulthood, namely the achievement of a level of functioning
characterised by expertise and wisdom (Cavanaugh & Blanchard-
Fields, 2019, pp. 207-211) can round off your discussion on this
interesting topic.
(1.) begin your answer by briefly highlighting the relevant aspects
of Piaget’s formal operational period or formal operational
thought (to discuss the other periods of Piaget’s theory is irrelevant
and will not count any marks) [pp: 201-202]
(2.) then discuss the theory and research findings of post-
formal thought to illustrate the idea of movement from formal to
post-formal thought. Remember to mention the research of
researchers like King and Kitchener and others. What comes to mind
here is reflective judgement, the three styles of thinking, the
integration of emotion and logic. And impress us with the names
of the relevant researchers. [pp. 204-207]
(3.) do not forget to include decision making, problem solving,
expertise and wisdom in your discussion. Many students loose
Introduction: [Piaget’s Theory]:
Stereotype – no further cognitive development takes place during the
adult years
Piaget – intellectual development is adaptation through activity. We
create the ways our knowledge is organized and how we think
1
, The development of intelligence stems from the emergence of
increasingly complex cognitive structures
Piaget believed: changes during development involved cognitive
structures.
o 4 structures in the development of mature thought: sensorimotor;
preoperational; concrete operational and formal operation
Formal Operational Period:
Acquisition of formal operational thought during adolescence marks the
end of cognitive development since formal operational thinking
characterizes adult thought
4 aspects of formal operational thought:
o (1.) takes a hypothesis-testing approach (hypotheticodeductive) to
problem-solving
o (2.) thinking is done in one framework at a time
o (3.) the goal is to arrive at one correct solution
o (4.) it’s unconstrained by reality
It’s a way of conceiving abstract concepts & thinking about them in a very
systematic, step-by-step way
Governed by a generalized logical structure that provides solutions to
problems people have never seen and may never encounter
Hypotheticodeductive thought: forming a hypothesis and testing it until
it’s either confirmed or rejected
Formal operation thought is aimed at resolving ambiguity; one answer is
the goal
Problem for Piaget’s theory: many adults apparently don’t attain formal
operations. It is not universal but tended to appear only in those areas in
which individuals were highly trained or specialized
Going Beyond Formal Operations: Thinking in Adulthood:
Formal operational responses from adolescents clearly show the ambiguity
of the situation but also clearly reflect the need to search for the right
answer.
Riegel (1973, 1976) argued that formal operations were quite limited in
its applicability
Different type of thinking represents a qualitative change beyond formal
operations
Postformal thought: characterized by a recognition that truth (the
correct answer) may vary from situation to situation, solutions may be
realistic to unreasonable, ambiguity and contradiction are the rule rather
than the exception, and that emotion and subjective factors usually play a
role in thinking
Reflective Judgement:
Reflective judgement: a way adults’ reason through dilemmas involving
current affairs, religion, science, personal relationships etc.
King and Kitcher (2002, 2015) refined descriptions and identified a
systematic progression of reflective judgement in young adulthood:
2
