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Cited by 433Child and Animal Learning DevelopmentChaos, Complexity, and EducationEgo Development and Educational Practices

Stagewise cognitive development: An application of catastrophe theory.

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Van der Maas, Han L., Molenaar, Peter C.·1992·Psychological Review
DOI 10.1037/0033-295x.99.3.395
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Abstract

In this article an overview is given of traditional methodological approaches to stagewise cognitive developmental research. These approaches are evaluated and integrated on the basis of catastrophe theory. In particular, catastrophe theory specifies a set of common criteria for testing the discontinuity hypothesis proposed by Piaget. Separate criteria correspond to distinct methods used in cognitive developmental research. Such criteria are, for instance, the detection of spurts in development, bimodality of test scores, and increased variability of responses during transitional periods. When a genuine stage transition is present, these criteria are expected to be satisfied. A revised catastrophe model accommodating these criteria is proposed for the stage transition in cognitive development from the preoperational to the concrete operational stage.

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Cited by

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Authors
Van der Maas, H. L., & Molenaar, P. C.
ORCID
Molenaar, Peter C.
Venue
Psychological Review
Publisher
American Psychological Association (APA)
Published
1992
Volume
99
Issue
3
Pages
395-417
ISSN
  • 0033-295X (ISSN-L)
  • 1939-1471
DOI
10.1037/0033-295x.99.3.395
OpenAlex
W2165983682
Cited by
433
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 14 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 22 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 16
FWCI
27.17
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Psychological Review (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UvA-DARE (University of Amsterdam) (submittedVersion)
  • Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Child and Animal Learning Development
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computational Theory and Mathematics › Chaos, Complexity, and Education
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Ego Development and Educational Practices
Keywords
catastrophe theory, Piaget, stage transitions, preoperational stage, concrete operational stage, response variability
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Psychological, Child, Child Development, Cognition, Humans, Models, Psychological, Thinking

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