Jean Piaget Essay Example for Free

Jean Piaget Essay Jean Piaget was born in 1896 in the French-speaking Swiss city of Neuchatel to an â€Å"agnostic medievalist† and a religious mother with â€Å"socialist leanings†. He became a professional in mollusk classification and was published in specialized journals. After a doctoral thesis on the taxonomy of Alpine mollusks, in 1918, and studies in psychology and philosophy in Zurich and Paris, he joined the Jean-Jacques Rousseau Institute of Geneva, in 1921. The Jean-Jacques Rousseau Institute was a center for research on child development and education. He later taught experimental and developmental psychology, sociology, and history and philosophy of science, mostly at the University of Geneva. From 1929-1967, Piaget directed the International Bureau of Education, originally established to coordinate educational information and research, and to promote peace and international understanding through education. In 1955, with support from the Rockefeller Foundation, he created the interdisciplinary International Center for Genetic Epistemology (which closed in 1984). After his discovery in 1912 of Creative Evolution, by the French philosopher Henri Bergson, Piaget became interested in the nature of life and evolution, although he rejected the Darwinian theory of natural selection and adopted the basic postulate of his later thought: the idea that the theory of knowledge and the theory of life are inseparable. One of Piagets earlier writings, from 1918, was called, Recherche, was an autobiographical novel and philosophical essay. In Recherche, Piaget sketched a theory of organic, philosophical , and social phenomena based on the idea of equilibrium between parts and wholes. Real-life dis-equilibria (within a society, for example, between individual and collective interests) tend toward an ideal equilibrium that preserves the integrity of parts and wholes alike. Piaget studied the growth of intelligence, by which term he meant chiefly the capacities, structures, and notions that make scientific thought possible. He described development as a sequence of stages from birth through adolescence. The stages appear at variable ages in different cultures and settings, but their order is invariable. This stage theory is one of the best known stage theories that describes four qualitatively different stages of cognitive development. These four stages are: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal. As the stages progress, the thinking of the child changes in ways that involve more than the addition of knowledge and skills. â€Å"According to Piagets stage theory, all the explanation and practice in the world will not help a child functioning at one stage to understand the ways of thinking at a higher stage. Piagets stage theory model describes how humans make sense of their world by gathering and organizing information. According to Piaget, â€Å"certain ways of thinking that are quite simple for an adult, are not so simple for a child†. In the early 1920s, Piaget came up with a â€Å"clinical method† that combined the use of items from intelligence tests, new problem-solving situations, and open-ended conversations with school-age children. He studied the childs language, reasoning, conceptions of the world, theories of causality, and moral judgment. Piaget considered the development of intelligence as a process of â€Å"socialization of thought†, and he attributed great developmental import to social interactions among peers and between children and adults. Piaget found that children at are at first â€Å"egocentric† (ie, experienced difficulty to take another persons point of view) and attached to concrete appearances but the children gradually moved away from egocentrism and became capable of thinking abstractly and logically. Earlier studies of children done by Piaget, studied mainly the content of the childs mind and took into account age-related behaviors. These studies that Piaget conducted concentrated on the main features of the childs â€Å"mentality† in doing these tasks. Piaget saw a different role for interaction. He believed that interaction encouraged development by creating disequilibrium – that cognitive conflict helped to motivate change. He believed that the most helpful interactions were those between peers, because peers are on an equal basis and can challenge each others thinking. As Piaget said, â€Å"to go beyond his current state and strike out in new directions†. In Piagets writing, The Construction of Reality (1937), he describes how basic forms of intentionality and the categories of object, space, causality, and time evolve, during the sensorimotor period, between the newborns reflex activities and the development of language at about 18 months. Piaget defined human intelligence as a form of adaptation that â€Å"prolongs organic adaptation and functions according to the same mechanisms, â€Å"assimilation† and â€Å"accommodation†. Piaget later termed his approach constructivist because he assumes that the concepts and structures of intelligence are successively constructed and reconstructed by means of the physical and mental activities which an organism uses to adapt to the external world. In Piagets later work, he created the idea or concept of mental development and the history of science as a process of â€Å"equilibration toward an increasingly larger capacity for assimilating the world†. Piagets work encouraged the belief that instruction must adapt to the childs developmental level, had direct impact on moral and science education, and also helped to inspire remedial procedures. Piaget continues to remain a major reference in developmental psychology, especially in educational psychology. It was Piagets research techniques, formulation of new problems, insightful observations, and his emphasis on the development of cognitive capacities that helped contribute in fundamental ways to shape the contemporary child and cognitive psychology. There are many ways that Piaget s theory of cognitive development and learning can be useful within the classroom setting. For students who are in the Preoperational stage (2-7 years of age), you should make instructions short-not too many steps all at once. As a teacher, it is also important to demonstrate actions and instructions out for students to also be able to visualize. At this stage, it is also important to have plenty of hands-on practice with skills such as cutting out letters of the alphabet so that the students can see the shape of them, and also use the letters to help form words. For students who are in the Concrete-Operational stage (7-11 years of age), it is still important to use visual aids and props when teaching. One good way to do this is with three-dimensional models that work and show movement ideas. Another good way to help teach students in this stage would be to read a story or book to the class and have the students personalize the story by asking them open-ended questions that would help to stimulate their thinking, as well as, help to stimulate their logical and analytical thinking skills For students who are in the Formal Operations stage (11years of age-adult), you want to continue to use concrete-operational teaching strategies such as charts, illustrations, more sophisticated graphs and diagrams. A good way to challenge and encourage students in this stage would be to give them opportunities to solve problems and reason scientifically by having classroom debates where there are two different positions on a subject. Another way to encourage thinking skills in this stage would be to have the students compare the experiences of characters in stories and movies to their own experiences in life.

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Hybrid tribunals are most often established in post-conflict regions where no international tribunal exists, and local capacities are insufficient to singularly cope with mass atrocity. Examples of â€Å"hybrid† tribunals include: East Timor, Cambodia, Sierra Leone, and Lebanon. In the event that an international tribunal, such as the ICC, cannot cope with the number of alleged perpetrators, hybrid tribunals also serve as an alternative accountability mechanism. A newly created â€Å"hybrid† international criminal tribunal for Syria will most effectively serve the transitional and restorative justice goals of President Bashar al-Assad’s prosecution. Although the precise definition of â€Å"hybrid† courts is still evolving, some baseline characteristics have emerged. Hybrids aim to marry the expertise and resources of the international community with the legitimacy of local actors. Generally, hybrids are comprised of mixed staff, both local and international, and compound international and national substantive and procedural law. Hybrid tribunals criticize the notion that justice is most effectively served in a wholly â€Å"international† context (dominated largely by Western mechanisms of accountability). Instead, hybrids emphasize the importance of local input in any long-term solution to post-atrocity transitional and restorative justice goals. The underlying raison d’à ©tre of a hybrid tribunal in Syria relies on the philosophical premise that post-atrocity accountability mechanisms should empower local governments and communities in order to achieve transitional and restorative justice goals. The import ance of local empowerment is especially significant in the wake of conflicts that occur within the borders of a state (i.e. civil wars). The languag... ...al infrastructure. However, the narrow mandate of the Syrian tribunal and its co-tribunals in Sierra Leone, Lebanon, and others, does not give effect to this problem. Assuming the mandate of the Syrian tribunal accords it jurisdiction over â€Å"perpetrators, organizers, sponsors, and indispensible accomplices,† consider the position of a member of the former, fallen political party that neglected to prevent the commission of atrocities but did not himself participate in them. Arguably, he may or may not â€Å"fall within the jurisdiction† of the international criminal tribunal for Syria, and amnesty laws may be recognized as a bar to prosecution. Ideally, amnesties would not be a necessary component of transition from pre- to post-conflict societies. However, a conditional limitation on the recognition of amnesties serves the more pragmatic interests of transitioning State.

Environmental Issue Essay

Poor waste management is one of the major problems that have vast social-ecological and economic negative effects on a global scale. This has resulted from the fast growth of the urban centers which form the main source of wastes and its poor management by the respective authorities. Indeed, over 90% of the total major cities globally have problems related to waste management (Bureau of National Affairs, 2007). However, cities in the third world economies are affected more by the problem than those in developed countries. Urgent measures are therefore required to address the problems and therefore guarantee ecological sanctity and social integrity of the affected systems. Use of qualitative and quantitative data Addressing the problem of the wastes in the urban regions demands the collection of factual information to establish the correct methods and ways that can be used to address the problem. Taking into consideration that the problem has escalated over a long period of time, use of qualitative data would provide the relevant descriptive information for the waste and therefore aid in determining the best modes of addressing the problem (Toma, 2008). Wastes from the cities can be qualitatively categorized as solid and liquid wastes. The data can further be descriptive of the biodegradable wastes, plastic wastes, pharmaceutical wastes, and sharps. Quantitatively data on the other hand would be very essential in understanding various quantities of the qualitatively categorized wastes. Understanding the statistics provides the respective authorities with the relevant information that can assist them in determining the mode they would use in countering the same problem. Chemical treatment of liquid wastes is sustainable and more effective for smaller quantities of liquid wastes while use of aerobic lagoons is better for larger quantities. Besides, understanding the quantity of recyclable materials in solid wastes makes it easier to calculate the economic returns of the recycled products (Toma, 2008). Hypothesis: Scientific process forms the best system for providing the solution of waste management in the cities. With the problem of the waste being a major source of ecological and social problems globally, it demands a holistic approach that appreciates the complexity of the issue and therefore provide the best possible solution. It is worth noting that scientific method of addressing the problem is based on factual information that is qualitatively and quantitatively derived. Therefore, will be able to assess and address actual problem affecting the people and the ecological systems. All aspects of urban wastes are scientifically derived and science only would interpret them on the same tone to establish means of reducing their effects (Worldwatch Institute, 2009). Socially, addressing the problem using scientific methods aid in ensuring that As a result, it has the ability to link the cause and consequences of the negative effects of the wastes and provide a long term solution to them. Conclusion With the pollution problem threatening to get out of hand in the major cities, it has become important to address it in a sustainable mode. Scientific process will therefore be the best mode due to its thoroughness and intrinsic capacity to alleviate the problem. The demand for cleaner and healthier environment over the years has increased greatly globally. Therefore, taking into consideration that the urban centers are growing faster than any other period in history, scientific process seeks to address the waste problem holistically at all levels. Most of the international considerations like Basel convention of 1989 and the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development of 1992 have called for scientific approaches to address the problem. The scientific process calls for effective consideration of the wastes from the point of production to disposal. Besides, it emphasizes on reduction of wastes at the source and application of the best systems that reduces its effects to the people and the natural systems (Worldwatch Institute, 2009). It demands for recycling of all the recyclable waste materials in the wastes a notion that goes a long way in improving the resources utility. Through use of the life cycle analysis/ end of pipe system, wastes are slowly turning into precious resources to be used in other areas like conditioning farms, irrigation, and making building bricks. Notably, the scientific process demands that cooperation be instituted at all levels of the waste management to harmonize the process and ensure long term sustainability. Finally, the scientific process sets effective standards that should be observed by waste producers and managements, and monitoring systems to ensure compliance. Reference list Bureau of National Affairs, (2007). International environment reporter: current report. Washington, D. C. : Bureau of National Affairs. Toma, V. (2008). Waste Management Research Trends. Basel: Nova Publishers. Worldwatch Institute, (2009). State of the World 2009: Into a Warming World. London: W W Norton & Co Inc.

Difference between EU Preschools and American Preschools

EU preschools pay more attention to the student’s health and development, while the domestic schools focus on skills training. According to the physiological and psychological characteristics of children, each country emphasizes that the preschool stage is a key period for their physical growth and development, the primary task of preschool is to cultivate a healthy body for the children. In November 20, 1989, the United Nations unanimously adopted the Convention on the rights of the Children, which involves four aspects of children s rights including survival, development, protection and the criterion to have right to participate in social life within the scope of world . On September 29th,1990, in New York, many countries leaders gathered together to discuss the physical and mental health problems related to the protection of children, and put forward a series of effective principles. In order to ensure the physical and mental health of children, various countries take different measures. For examples: In France, it is stressed that preschool institutions should maximizing the protection of children s health in every activity. In UK, it provides free medical care for children in preschool. In China, the burden of preschool is very heavy, except for the formal lessons, they have to take extracurricular classes. Due to fierce competition, the parent of the children always are afraid that their children will lose in the starting line, at the meantime, they ignore theShow MoreRelatedEssay about The Effects of Poverty on the Lives of Children2737 Words   |  11 Pagesindividuals earning capacity; this essay examines the likelihood that an individual will earn enough to keep his or her family out of poverty, given the individuals educational attainment, age, and race. The reasons for the large difference between the child and adult poverty rates are explored, using a decomposition of the poverty population to show how demographic characteristics such as higher fertility rates among poor families and the higher prevalence of single-parentRead MoreNespresso Co. Analysis15084 Words   |  61 Pagesthere are some forms of arts that are only kept in the mountains, like Yodeling (a type of singing) or accordion (music instrument) or even alphorn (a music instrument which is more popular but only in some areas). The melodies of folk music vary between regions. In particular, the Alpine Folk culture is characterized by very expressive dances. Some small musical ensembles are practiced in mountains area, usually in the French speaking part of Switzerland. Moreover, there is the Visual Art: in theRead MoreReed Supermarket Case32354 Words   |  130 Pagesidentifying international competitive advantage 1.8 Value shop and the service value chain 1.9 Information business and the virtual value chain 1.10 Summary Case studies 1.1 Build-A-Bear Workshop (BBW): how to manage the global comeback? 1.2 Arcor: a Latin American confectionery player is globalizing its business 1.3 Video case study: Nivea Questions for discussion References 3 5 5 6 6 7 17 19 21 25 33 36 38 39 45 47 47 47 49 49 50 50 57 61 65 65 68 69 70 70 2 Initiation of internationalization LearningRead MoreNgo Pratham7599 Words   |  31 Pageshave annual budgets in the hundreds of millions or billions of dollars.. Major sources of NGO funding are membership dues, the sale of goods and services, grants from international institutions or national governments, and private donations. Several EU-grants provide funds accessible to NGOs. Pratham – An NGO Pratham is the largest nongovernmental organization working to provide quality education to the underprivileged children of India. Pratham was established in 1994 to provide education toRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 PagesShortcuts in Judging Others 170 †¢ Specific Applications of Shortcuts in Organizations 173 The Link Between Perception and Individual Decision Making 174 Decision Making in Organizations 175 The Rational Model, Bounded Rationality, and Intuition 175 †¢ Common Biases and Errors in Decision Making 177 Influences on Decision Making: Individual Differences and Organizational Constraints 184 Individual Differences 184 †¢ Organizational Constraints 186 What About Ethics in Decision Making? 187 Three Ethical DecisionRead MoreCost Accounting134556 Words   |  539 Pagesinclude a share of the rent, food, utilities, and other related costs. Costs tha t would differ with the addition of another person are the differential costs. These differential costs might include food. It would be necessary to negotiate an agreement between you and the other person considering all factors. For example, should you split the total costs or charge only the differential costs of the additional person. Businesses are often faced with similar decisions on finding the appropriate cost base