In this unit, you will learn about cognitive development in middle childhood and adolescence. Several different theories have been proposed to help describe children’s thinking. In this discussion, you will consider the strengths and weaknesses of Piaget’s theory and the Information Processing perspective in describing middle childhood cognitive development. As we move into the adolescence period, adolescent thinking is more mature and reflective; however, it is not quite adult-like yet. In this discussion, you will also explore some of the unique ways of adolescent thinking.
Please respond to the following:
Piaget’s cognitive developmental theory and the information processing perspective are two theories that are commonly used to describe children’s cognitive development. For both theories, explain what you believe correctly describes middle childhood cognitive development and what you believe does not accurately describe middle childhood cognitive development.
Adolescent cognitive changes are reflected in many aspects of adolescents’ everyday behavior, including self-concern, idealism, criticism, and faulty decision making (Berk, 2022). In a sentence or two describe the following ways of adolescent thinking:
- Imaginary audience and personal fable
- Idealism and criticism
- Faulty decision making
Provide a real-life example of how one of these ways of adolescent thinking influenced your adolescent development or the adolescent development of someone you know.