Understanding and Applying Cognitive Development Theory

About this book

"This volume of New Directions for Student Services focuses on the cognitive development of college students. Virtually all theories of student cognitive development trace their origins to Jean Piaget's work. The five theories reviewed in this volumePerry (1970); Belenky, Clinchy, Goldberger, and Tarule (1986); King and Kitchener (1994); Baxter Magolda (1992); and Kegan (1982, 1994) - are no exception. They describe the process of change in the cognitive structures that students use to make meaning of their world by focusing on how meaning is structured, not on what is known or believed. These theories vary in a number of important ways, including the structure of the developmental process, the endpoints, and the number, characteristics, and labeling of stages or dimensions. At the same time, there are commonalities in substance and process among the theories, which are addressed in the final chapter. The focus of this volume is on understanding and applying cognitive development theory. It therefore concentrates on explicating the various theories and translating them into practice in student affairs."--Jacket.