Exploring Cognitive Development: The Child As Problem Solver

by Alison F. Garton (Health Department of Western Australia)

• ISBN13: 9781405143264
• ISBN10: 1405143266
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2008-04-01
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Summary

This book uses the paradigm of the child as a problem solver to examine various theories of cognitive development. Provides balanced coverage of a broad range of contemporary theories. Focuses on collaborative tasks which are carried out with other children or adults. Asks whether social interaction is the key to improvement in problem solving skills, or whether it is the skills and abilities that the child brings to the task that are paramount. Draws on a wide range of research, including the author's own research into dyadic problem solving.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction:

Problem Solving

Social Explanations for Cognitive Change

Change in the Context of Interactive/Collaborative Problem Solving

Domain Specific Knowledge

ChildrenÆs Potential to Change

Theories of Mind

The Way Forward

Theoretical Overview:

Piaget and Vygotsky: Is There Any Common Ground?

Peer Interaction: Various Perspectives

Implications for Piagetian and Vygotskian Theories

Research on Collaboration: Beyond Social Interaction

Sociocultural Theory

Dynamic Systems

Nature of the Problem to be Solved

How Else Can Problem Solving be Described and Explained?

Strategy Use And Learning In Problem Solving:

Domains

Domains as Constraints on Cognitive Development

Innateness and Domain-Specificity

Domains and the Social Environment

Strategy Choice

Learning New Strategies

Social Problem Solving:

Peer Interaction and Problem Solving: A Theoretical Conundrum

Peer Interaction In the Classroom

Peer Interaction and Adult-Child Interaction

Theory of Mind and Problem Solving

Self-regulation In Problem Solving

Help Seeking In Problem Solving

The Role of Talk In Collaborative Problem Solving

Conclusion

What The Child Brings To The Task:

Readiness to Benefit From Interaction

Cognitive Flexibility

Friendship and Sociability

Motivation to Collaborate

Summary, Review And Implications:

What and How Revisited

Difficulties Yet to be Surmounted

Implications

References

Author Index

Subject Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.