Stagewise Cognitive Development: An Application of Catastrophe Theory

In this article an overview is given of traditional methodological approaches to stagewise cognitive developmental research. These approaches are evaluated and integrated on the basis of catastrophe theory. In particular, catastrophe theory specifies a set of common criteria for testing the disconti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychological review 1992-07, Vol.99 (3), p.395-417
Main Authors: van der Maas, Han L. J, Molenaar, Peter C. M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Biological and medical sciences
Catastrophe theory
Child
Child Development
Cognition
Cognitive Development
Developmental psychology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Human
Humans
Methodology
Models, Psychological
Piaget, Jean (1896-1980)
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychology. Psychophysiology
Social research
Theories
Thinking
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Summary:In this article an overview is given of traditional methodological approaches to stagewise cognitive developmental research. These approaches are evaluated and integrated on the basis of catastrophe theory. In particular, catastrophe theory specifies a set of common criteria for testing the discontinuity hypothesis proposed by Piaget. Separate criteria correspond to distinct methods used in cognitive developmental research. Such criteria are, for instance, the detection of spurts in development, bimodality of test scores, and increased variability of responses during transitional periods. When a genuine stage transition is present, these criteria are expected to be satisfied. A revised catastrophe model accommodating these criteria is proposed for the stage transition in cognitive development from the preoperational to the concrete operational stage.
ISSN:0033-295X
1939-1471
DOI:10.1037/0033-295X.99.3.395