Who is known for the Theory of Cognitive Development?

The Theory of Cognitive Development is attributed to Jean Piaget, who made significant contributions to our understanding of how children's thinking evolves over time. Piaget proposed that cognitive development occurs in four distinct stages: the sensorimotor stage, the preoperational stage, the concrete operational stage, and the formal operational stage. Each stage represents a different way of processing information and interacting with the world, suggesting that children's cognitive abilities are not merely a reflection of their maturity but rather emerge through active exploration and interaction with their environment.

Piaget's work emphasizes that children are not passive recipients of knowledge; instead, they construct their understanding and knowledge of the world through experience and reflection. He introduced key concepts such as assimilation, accommodation, and schema, which describe the processes involved in how children adapt their thinking when they encounter new information. This theory has been foundational in educational psychology and has influenced teaching practices by highlighting the importance of developmental readiness in learning.

The other individuals listed, while influential in their respective fields, are known for different psychological theories. Albert Bandura is recognized for his work on social learning theory, which emphasizes the role of observational learning and modeling. Erik Erikson is known for his psychosocial development theory, focusing on the eight stages of human development throughout the lifespan