Who developed the theory of cognitive development?

Jean Piaget developed the theory of cognitive development, which focuses on how children acquire, construct, and use knowledge as they grow. His theory outlines a series of developmental stages that children progress through, including the sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational stages. Each stage represents a different way of thinking and understanding the world, highlighting the qualitative changes in cognitive abilities as children mature. Piaget emphasized that children are not just passive recipients of information; rather, they actively construct their own understanding through experiences and interactions with their environment.

This theory is significant in psychology as it laid the groundwork for understanding the role of cognitive processes in child development and influenced educational practices, highlighting the importance of considering developmental stages when teaching new concepts.