COGNITIVE THEORIES

Cognitive Theories

Cognitive Theories

Introduction

Cognitive theories are based on internal states such as motivation, thinking, attention, problem solving and decision making (Wagner, 2009). There are several theories based upon cognitive psychology studying the mental process. Piaget's theory is describing the cognitive developments of children; this involves changes in the cognitive process and abilities (Wagner, 2009). Piaget views this development based upon a series of four stages that children proceed through Piaget states that children that do not experience these stages do not reach their highest level of cognitive growth (Feldman, 2008).

Another cognitive theory from Vygotsky, a psychologist from Russia, claiming that cognitive development is influenced by our culture that we are raised in. Vygotsky claims that cognitive skills are learned through social interactions (Feldman 2008). Arnold Gesell, an American pediatrician who did his research at the Yale Child Study Center, bases His theory on heredity promoting development in a preordained sequence, with few individual differences with each individual (Wagner, 2009).

Discussion

Psychological processes such as cognitive learning are also theories that are based upon “the mental process that occur during learning” (Feldman, 2008). Cognitive learning is a theory that focuses on thought processes that occur while learning (Feldman, 2008). Piaget suggests that the learning process is iterative, were new information is shaped to fit with the learner's existing knowledge, and existing knowledge is modified to accommodate the new information (Piaget, 1985).

Cognitive theory also acknowledges the importance of reinforcing behavior. Positive reinforcement is important, with cognitive concepts such as knowledge and understanding. Latent learning, another theory in which new behavior is acquired but not observed until the behavior is needed (Feldman 2008). For instance a child may observe a parent setting the table, but does not act on this learning for a year; then she finds that she knows how to do these things, ...