Which two theories are associated with the cognitive developmental perspective?

The choice highlighting Piaget’s theory and Vygotsky’s theory correctly identifies two foundational approaches within the cognitive developmental perspective.

Piaget’s theory of cognitive development articulates how children progress through distinct stages of mental development, focusing on the ways they interact with their environment to gain knowledge. He emphasizes that children actively construct their understanding and knowledge of the world through experiences. This theory outlines stages such as the sensorimotor and preoperational, during which various cognitive abilities develop.

Vygotsky’s theory, on the other hand, stresses the social and cultural influences on cognitive development. He introduces the concept of the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), which highlights how learning occurs through social interaction and guided participation, suggesting that cognitive development is deeply intertwined with social context and collaborative learning.

Together, these theories provide a comprehensive understanding of cognitive development, where Piaget offers a stage-based framework while Vygotsky brings attention to the social dimensions of learning. This combination of perspectives allows for a richer understanding of how cognitive abilities emerge and evolve across development, making this choice the most accurate representation of the cognitive developmental perspective in psychology.