Cognitive Perspective Study Guide
Introduction
The cognitive perspective compares the brain to a computer, emphasizing how we process,
store, and retrieve information. This approach is based on the idea that our mental
processes influence behavior. Key contributors to this perspective include Jean Piaget and
George Kelly.
Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development
Jean Piaget, a Swiss psychologist, proposed that children's cognitive development occurs in
stages as their brains mature. His theory emphasizes that understanding and intelligence
grow as a child ages.
1. Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years): Infants explore the world through their senses and
actions. By the end of this stage, they begin to use memory and language.
2. Preoperational Stage (2-7 years): Language and memory skills develop. Children are
egocentric and have difficulty understanding other perspectives.
3. Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 years): Logical thinking emerges. Children can solve
problems mentally using concrete concepts.
4. Formal Operational Stage (11+ years): Abstract reasoning and hypothetical thinking
develop. Children no longer need physical objects to solve problems.
Schemas and Faulty Processing
Schemas are mental frameworks that help individuals organize and interpret information.
When processing becomes faulty, distorted schemas can lead to anxiety or phobias. For
instance, associating negative experiences with doctors can cause a generalized fear of
medical settings.
George Kelly's Personal Construct Theory
George A. Kelly, an American psychologist, developed Personal Construct Psychology. He
saw individuals as 'scientists' who make predictions based on past experiences. He
emphasized that one's past can either limit or inspire future behavior.
Kelly introduced the information-processing model, which includes input (sensory
information), processing (cognitive interpretation), and output (behavioral response).
Introduction
The cognitive perspective compares the brain to a computer, emphasizing how we process,
store, and retrieve information. This approach is based on the idea that our mental
processes influence behavior. Key contributors to this perspective include Jean Piaget and
George Kelly.
Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development
Jean Piaget, a Swiss psychologist, proposed that children's cognitive development occurs in
stages as their brains mature. His theory emphasizes that understanding and intelligence
grow as a child ages.
1. Sensorimotor Stage (0-2 years): Infants explore the world through their senses and
actions. By the end of this stage, they begin to use memory and language.
2. Preoperational Stage (2-7 years): Language and memory skills develop. Children are
egocentric and have difficulty understanding other perspectives.
3. Concrete Operational Stage (7-11 years): Logical thinking emerges. Children can solve
problems mentally using concrete concepts.
4. Formal Operational Stage (11+ years): Abstract reasoning and hypothetical thinking
develop. Children no longer need physical objects to solve problems.
Schemas and Faulty Processing
Schemas are mental frameworks that help individuals organize and interpret information.
When processing becomes faulty, distorted schemas can lead to anxiety or phobias. For
instance, associating negative experiences with doctors can cause a generalized fear of
medical settings.
George Kelly's Personal Construct Theory
George A. Kelly, an American psychologist, developed Personal Construct Psychology. He
saw individuals as 'scientists' who make predictions based on past experiences. He
emphasized that one's past can either limit or inspire future behavior.
Kelly introduced the information-processing model, which includes input (sensory
information), processing (cognitive interpretation), and output (behavioral response).
