National Counselor Exam (NCE)

Which psychologist is often associated with the stages of cognitive development?

1. Freud

2. Bandura

3. Piaget

4. Erikson

The correct answer is: Piaget

The psychologist most commonly associated with the stages of cognitive development is Jean Piaget. He is renowned for his theory that describes how children's thinking evolves through a series of stages as they interact with their environment. Piaget identified four key stages: the sensorimotor stage, the preoperational stage, the concrete operational stage, and the formal operational stage. Each stage represents a different way of thinking and understanding the world, emphasizing the progressive nature of cognitive development as children mature and gain more complex levels of thought. Piaget's approach highlights not only the knowledge children acquire at each stage but also the processes underlying their reasoning. This theory has had a profound impact on education and developmental psychology, providing insights into how children learn and think at different ages. Understanding Piaget’s stages allows educators and counselors to tailor their approaches to align with the cognitive capacities of children, promoting effective learning environments.