Piaget was correct in thinking that children learn in stages, however, as the critics say, not every child functions at the same stage at the same time as their peers. Piaget's thinking is too rigid because children's development or learning does not looking like an even staircase, rather it looks like a staircase that has uneven stairs. At some points in their lives, children's' development and learning jumps up whereas at other points they exist on a long horizontal plain until the next jump occurs.
This being said, I think his critics are to focused on the fact that he said children develop in a certain way at each age group. Individuals should not focus so much on the age issue, but rather, that children progress through steps of development; albeit at different rates. His identification of mannerisms like egocentricism have merit. It is rather amazing that he was able to devise his theories with what limited resources he had. No matter how his work is viewed, without his research, the field of developmental psychology would be far less advanced.
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You said that it was amazing "... that he was able to devise his theories with what limited resources he had." I would disagree - after watching the bit on Piaget's critics, we learned he created these theories by getting a large amount of information from a small number of children, and that he made the verbal answers of the children fit a theory he had already created, which is a stunning kind of bias. I think it's more amazing that his theories were given so much credence.
ReplyDeleteI think that both of you have good points however I think that when it comes down to it Piaget may have been wrong on some aspects but he was dead on in others and other theorists took bits of his ideas and altered others to make their own. He revolutionized the way that children are viewed when it comes to development and mental capacity. A lot of the teaching styles, etc. are based off of his theory along with others. I think it is important to remember that these are theories not facts and that they serve as a guideline, there at this point isn't a right or wrong theory if there was a right one it would be called a fact and not a theory.
ReplyDeleteExcellent points made by all!
ReplyDeleteChris - Certainly, Piaget did have limited resources for studying children. For instance, technology. Additionally we have so much more knowledge in the area; he was a trailblazer.
Harry - I agree that Piaget was somewhat biased in how he researched. Unfortunately this way of thinking happens more than you know it in science (you might want to read up on Thomas Kuhn).
Lindsey - You are correct, it is a THEORY and not fact, and should be viewed as such. Additionally we can't throw out he baby with the bathwater; there can always be some good imbedded.