Access to the full content is only available to members of institutions that have purchased access. If you belong to such an institution, please log in or find out more about how to order.


Print

Contents

Cognitive development

DOI
10.4324/9780415249126-W005-1
DOI: 10.4324/9780415249126-W005-1
Version: v1,  Published online: 1998
Retrieved March 19, 2024, from https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/thematic/cognitive-development/v-1

Article Summary

Psychological research of the last two decades has produced a surge of surprising results regarding cognitive development in children that has challenged a number of traditional philosophical assumptions about the nature of knowledge. The developing cognitive system seems organized in terms of specific domains, rather than as a general, all-purpose processor to which traditional empiricism was committed. Children’s conceptual development is often guided by highly abstract principles and parameters that are present in a child’s mind long before concrete details of a domain are encountered. Moreover, the data seem to indicate that development consists predominantly of gradual conceptual enrichment over time, rather than radical change.

Print
Citing this article:
Keil, F.C. and G. Gutheil. Cognitive development, 1998, doi:10.4324/9780415249126-W005-1. Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Taylor and Francis, https://www.rep.routledge.com/articles/thematic/cognitive-development/v-1.
Copyright © 1998-2024 Routledge.

Related Searches

Topics

Related Articles