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Jean Piaget

Definition

Jean Piaget was a Swiss psychologist known for his work on child development. He proposed the theory of cognitive development, which explains how a child constructs a mental model of the world.

Analogy

Think of Jean Piaget as an architect who designs blueprints (theories) for buildings (children's minds). Just like an architect plans out different rooms and spaces for different purposes in a building, Piaget outlined stages in children's cognitive development.

Related terms

Developmental Psychology: This is the scientific study of how and why human beings change over the course of their life. It involves growth and changes in physical abilities, cognitive skills, emotional patterns, social roles etc.

Child Psychology: This branch of psychology deals with the mental processes and behavior of children from prenatal development through adolescence.

Theory of Mind: This is the ability to attribute mental states—beliefs, intents, desires, emotions—to oneself and others and to understand that others have beliefs, desires, intentions, and perspectives that are different from one's own.