In search of a metatheory for cognitive development (or, Piaget is dead and I don't feel so good myself).
With the waning of influence of Piaget's theory and the shortcomings of information-processing perspectives of cognitive growth, cognitive developmentalists lack a common set of broad, overarching principles and assumptions--a metatheory--to guide their research. Developmental biology is suggested as metatheory for cognitive development. Although it is important for developmentalists to understand proximal biological causes (e.g., brain development), most important for such a metatheory is an evolutionary perspective. Some basic principles of evolutionary psychology are introduced, and examples of contemporary research and theory consistent with these ideas are provided.
Bjorklund
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DF
Florida Atlantic University, Department of Psychology, Boca Raton 33431, USA. BJORKLDF@FAU.EDU
D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D003071:Cognition; D015509:Developmental Biology; D006801:Humans; D011582:Psychological Theory; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012106:Research