ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the details of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development; critiques of his approach – including his neglect of social and emotional development; and experiments that suggest Piaget got some details wrong. It also examines critiques of so-called 'stage' theories and Piaget's extraordinary relationship with his mother. A key difference between Piaget's theory and Sigmund Freud's theory of psychosexual development is that Piaget based his ideas on what he saw children doing – and saying. Piaget tried to give a feel for how the infant saw the world by comparing it to films. Piaget distinguished between a symbol and a signal. One of the most developed neo-Piagetian theories is that of Demetriou, who questions some basic assumptions of stage theories and has put forward a comprehensive theory in books such as The Architecture and Dynamics of Developing Mind.
