Lesson 1: The Principles of Learning

7 - The Basic Theories of Piaget

Jean Piaget was a famous Swiss psychologist who gained worldwide recognition for his studies of the thought processes of children. Piaget outlined four principle stages of concept formation. Concept refers to the meaning an individual gives to various objects or abstract ideas. Concept formation refers to the way we build these ideas in our mind. You can picture concept formation as like the process a child goes through when assembling interlocking blocks to make various shapes and structures.

The following important principles were described by Piaget when discussing concept formation:
     • Each stage must occur in proper sequence.
     • A child cannot attempt a more difficult skill until mastering the skills at a lower level.
     • Each stage is cumulative; earlier skills are retained and are the basics for reaching the next higher level.
     • The child acquires skills gradually and in a systematic order.

 The ages suggested for Piaget’s four principle stages of concept formation are approximate.

Space correction

During the sensorimotor stage, babies learn through physical contact with their surroundings by using their senses. They acquire a basic idea of cause and effect. For example, if they push the ball, it will roll across the room.

Space corrector

Young people are now comfortable in dealing with abstract concepts. Abstract concepts are ideas about objects that are viewed separately or apart from the physical object. A concrete concept is a doghouse; an abstract concept is religious freedom.

Stages of Cognitive Development