With a new introduction outlining current context and latest research in the field, this Classic Edition offers a critical study of a cornerstone of Piaget's theory that a child's ability to solve problems of class inclusion marks the beginning of the period of concrete (logical) operations at about seven or eight years of age. Kohnstamm's experiments show, however, that with directive teaching methods, most children of five can already learn to solve inclusion problems. His results make him question the basic assumption of Piaget's theory that logical operations can only develop in firmly connected groupings of operations, not in isolation. The author argues that experimenters must therefore show that children who come to master one kind of operation should also show transference to other operations of the same grouping. As a result, he questions the real existence in brain functioning of the hypothesized groupings of operations in Piaget's theory. This challenge to Piaget's theory is an invaluable resource for cognitive, developmental, and educational psychologists.

Book Information
ISBN 9780367725259
Author Dolph Kohnstamm
Format Paperback
Page Count 168
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 156g