Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Cognitive development theories seek to explain how thinking processes develop from childhood through adulthood. They focus on understanding how individuals acquire knowledge, solve problems, and think about their world.
This theory proposes that children progress through four distinct stages as they develop their cognitive abilities.
Vygotsky's sociocultural theory: This theory emphasizes the role of social interactions and cultural influences in cognitive development.
Information processing model: This model compares human cognition with computer functioning, focusing on how we encode, store, retrieve, and manipulate information.