Cognitive development: Practice Questions

According to Piaget's theory, during which stage does a child typically develop the concept of object permanence?

In Vygotsky's theory of cognitive development, what is the role of scaffolding provided by a More Knowledgeable Other (MKO)?

In Baillargeon's research using the violation of expectation (VoE) method, infants typically look significantly longer at the 'impossible event' compared to the 'possible event'. What conclusion did Baillargeon draw from this finding regarding infants' cognitive abilities?

In the context of Piaget’s theory, explain the difference between assimilation and accommodation when a child encounters new information that does not fit their existing schema.

Evaluate why Vygotsky's concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) is often considered a more interactionist explanation of cognitive development compared to Piaget's discrete stages.

4-year-old Sophia believes that if she closes her eyes, no one can see her. Her 7-year-old brother, Leo, is able to understand that rearranging the shape of a lump of playdough does not change its volume.

(a) Identify the stage of cognitive development that Sophia is demonstrating and describe the cognitive limitation exemplified by her belief about closing her eyes.

(b) Identify the stage of cognitive development that Leo is demonstrating and explain the cognitive ability that allows him to understand the playdough example.