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The concept of equilibration in Piaget’s theory of cognitive development

University of British Columbia

Many philosophers and psychologists have questioned the meaning and/or function of the concept of equilibration in Piaget's theory of cognitive development. It is argued here that a) the concept of equilibration is distinct from other, similar concepts in Piaget's theory b) that the particular character of equilibration as a mechanism of self-regulation allows Piaget to account for the differences between biological and cognitive structures and c) that equilibration is therefore a fruitful concept in Piaget's theory of cognitive development. Chapters One to Three are a presentation of the problem, and a synopsis of Piaget's theory of genetic epistemology and model of organic structures. Chapter Five lays out the criteria by which equilibration could be said to be a fruitful concept. Chapters Six to Eight examine the role which equilibration plays in Piaget's theory. In Chapter Nine, it is concluded that equilibration is a fruitful concept in Piaget's theory, and some general points about the theory are discussed.

Text

2010-02-26

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/21108

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University of British Columbia

Graduate