Evidence of means–end behavior in Asian elephants (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Elephas maximus</Emphasis>)

The present study explores to what extent Asian elephants show “means–end” behavior. We used captive Asian elephants (N = 2) to conduct four variations of the Piagetian “support” problem, which involves a goal object that is out of reach, but rests on a support within reach. In the first condition, elephants were simultaneously presented with two identical trays serving as the “support”, with the bait on one tray and the other tray left empty. In the next two conditions, the bait was placed on one tray, while additional bait was placed beside the other tray. In the last condition, both trays contained bait, but one of the trays had a small gap which prevented the elephants from reaching the reward. Subjects were required to choose and pull either tray with their trunk and to obtain the bait (i.e. goal). Results showed that one elephant performed all of the support problems significantly above chance after several sessions, suggesting that the elephant was capable of understanding that pulling the tray was the “means” for achieving the “end” of obtaining the bait. This study showed that elephants show means–end behavior when subjected to a Piagetian “support” task, and indicates that such goal-directed behavior occurs in species other than primates.     

The Dynamics of General Developmental Mechanisms: From Piaget and Vygotsky to Dynamic Systems Models

Dynamic systems theory conceives of development as a self-organizational process. Both complexity and order emerge as a product of elementary principles of interaction between components involved in the developmental process. This article presents a dynamic systems model based on a general dual developmental mechanism, adapted from Piaget and Vygotsky. The mechanism consists of a conservative force, further strengthening the already-consolidated level, and a progressive force, consolidating internal contents and procedures at more advanced levels. It is argued that this dual mechanism constitutes one of the few basic laws of learning and change, and is comparable to the laws of effect and of contiguity. Simulation studies suggest that this dual mechanism explains self-organization in developmental paths, including the emergence of discrete jumps from one equilibrium level to another, S-shaped growth, and the occurrence of co-existing levels.     

Re-evaluating the extractive foraging hypothesis

In his seminal 1992 paper, Dunbar examined three hypotheses advanced to explain primate intelligence, arguing that whereas his social group size hypothesis was supported, neither of two ecological hypotheses, the extractive foraging and frugivory hypotheses, were supported. Following this, and Dunbar's subsequently elaborated argument, many investigators concluded that primate intelligence arose as social rather than ecological adaptations. This paper questions Dunbar's characterization of extractive foraging and social intelligence as alternative hypotheses, raises sampling issues about Dunbar's brain data, species choice, and measurement of extractive foraging. It summarizes the extractive foraging hypothesis, and counters its critics. It reexamines the hypothesis in light of recent behavioral and brain data, new methodology for quantifying extractive foraging, and a new phylogeny of primate intelligence. It concludes that the extractive foraging hypothesis is now supported by several converging lines of evidence.     

论皮亚杰的方法论及其当代意义

皮亚杰从生物学的适应性和平衡化概念出发, 论证了有机体和外部环境之间的双向互动关系, 进一步通过认知过程与生物学过程的“同构”, 建立了一种结构论的发生认识论。发生认识论的主要论题包括:主客体相互作用论、认知结构的建构论, 以及心理逻辑论等。皮亚杰的理论建构方法有两个重要特征:第一, 皮亚杰强调功能相对于结构的逻辑先在意义。功能是有机体对环境的适应与平衡化。因此, 皮亚杰的方法论是一种功能论。第二, 皮亚杰方法论的思想基础是辩证法。皮亚杰的发生认识论一方面批判唯理论, 另一方面批判经验论, 最终形成了一套独特的认识论体系。皮亚杰的发生认识论对当今心理学和心灵哲学研究中诸多“难问题”, 诸如“他心问题”、“归纳问题”等, 可能提供了元理论层面和方法层面的引领和启发。     

La pensée post-formelle en gérontagogie ou l’après-Piaget

Jean Piaget, one of the most influential theorists in developmental psychology, assumed that formal thought, characterized by the development of an individual's logical capacities, was the last stage of adult thinking. According to Piaget's theory, adults undergo an unavoidable decline in their intellectual functions after formal thought. However, here we review how the brain evolved, describing its main structures, and examining each cerebral hemisphere's specific functions. Evidence is also provided for the production of new neurons and new connections between them, forcing a revision of old theories about the decline of intellectual functions in the elderly. We then consider Jones’ theories X and Y, and the different definitions of intelligence (fluid vs. crystallized, and qualitative vs. quantitative), and how these perspectives have influenced the way we see intelligence. Evidence supporting the addition of another stage, named post-formal thought, is examined in the context of gerontagogy. Dialectical thought characterizes this stage, and developing wisdom is its main goal. We examine the two basic principles of dialectical thought, namely the principle of contradiction and the principle of relativity of everything. It is suggested that the learning of wisdom should be the focus of future university programs to educate the elderly.     

Updating the Baldwin effect : The biological levels behind Piaget's new theory

In 1964, Conrad Waddington (1905–1975) presented a paper in Geneva that led to an internal reassessment of the biological underpinnings of Jean Piaget's (1896–1980) theory. This in turn resulted in an overhaul of the theoretical framework upon which his stage theory of child development had been based, including his appeals to James Mark Baldwin's (1861–1934) “circular reaction.” In addition to leading to the emergence of what has elsewhere been called “Piaget's new theory,” this renovation also resulted in the update of the famous “Baldwin Effect.” Because aspects of the subsequent framework are of contemporary significance, this essay will review some of the work leading up to those updates. In reaching behind the translations to trace the sources of the arguments to which Piaget appealed, the resulting examination fills some of the gaps found in the secondary literature without quibbling over the “correct” English interpretation of translated French terms. We also go beyond how Piaget's writings have been understood in English and extract some useful additional ideas from his sources, including how to conceive of the social context in which development takes place. We see as a result how Waddington and his colleagues, including Paul Weiss (1898–1989), provided a constructive “existence proof” for the formal hierarchy of levels that Piaget had come to by other means.     

皮亚杰、维果茨基与布鲁纳的儿童教育思想比较

比较儿童教育与心理发展有着密切的关系,理解教育在发展过程中的作用并掌握儿童心理发展的特点,可以更好地处理教育与发展的关系并促进儿童的发展。在这方面,皮亚杰、维果茨基与布鲁纳都为后人留下了丰富的遗产,也给我们现代教育教学带来了深刻启示。     

皮亚杰的方法论：体系、优势与启示

皮亚杰的方法论体系包括：(1）发生学的理念;(2)“适应”和“运演”的理论解释工具;(3)获取资料的临床访谈法．他以这样的方法论体系而建立起来的理论具有：理性性、解释性、整体性等特征。皮亚杰方法论对我们当前的心理学研究具有启示意义。当前的一些研究在很大程度上,恪守着“实证”与“量化”的规范;却忽视研究主体的理性建构作用。     

ADOLESCENT IDENTITY FORMATION VERSUS SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION

Since 1950, Erik Erikson's emphasis on ego-identity formation as the crucial task of adolescence has been the framework for almost all subsequent research and programming to empower positive adolescent development. Chatlos has recently described a “Framework of Spirituality” and contends that identity formation significantly interferes with and should occur after a spiritual transformational process for optimal and more meaningful adolescent development. This article reviews the current status of research in identity formation, including religious and spiritual identity formation contributing to his conclusion, and describes the spiritual transformational process that is proposed to be central to positive adolescent development. A possible link between systemic focus on identity formation and current social upheaval is also identified.     

Early Tests of Piagetian Theory Through World War II

ABSTRACT

Psychologists recognized the importance of Jean Piaget's theory from its inception. Within a year of the appearance of his first book translated into English, The Language and Thought of the Child (J. Piaget, 1926) Piaget, J. (1926). The language and thought of the child. New York, NY: Harcourt, Brace. [Google Scholar], it had been reviewed and welcomed; shortly thereafter, psychologists began testing the tenets of the theory empirically. The author traces the empirical testing of his theory in the 2 decades following publication of his initial book. A review of the published literature through the World War II era reveals that the research resulted in consistent failure to support the theoretical mechanisms that Piaget proposed. Nonetheless, the theory ultimately gained traction to become the bedrock of developmental psychology. Reasons for its persistence may include a possible lack of awareness by psychologists about the lack of empirical support, its breadth and complexity, and a lack of a viable alternate theory. As a result, the theory still exerts influence in psychology even though its dominance has diminished.