As an expert in the field of developmental psychology, I have a deep understanding of the concepts of centration and conservation, which are pivotal in Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development. Piaget, a Swiss psychologist, is renowned for his work on the stages of cognitive development in children. His theories have greatly influenced the way we understand how children think and learn.

Centration refers to a child's tendency to focus on one aspect of a situation to the exclusion of others. This is a common phenomenon in the early stages of cognitive development, particularly during the preoperational stage, which Piaget identified as occurring between the ages of 2 and 7. At this stage, children are egocentric, meaning they have difficulty seeing things from perspectives other than their own. They may focus on a single attribute of an object, such as its size or shape, and fail to consider other attributes that might be equally important. For example, a child might believe that a tall, narrow container holds more liquid than a short, wide one, simply because the tall container is taller, even though the two containers are of equal volume.

Conservation, on the other hand, is the understanding that certain properties of an object or situation remain constant despite superficial changes. This concept is closely linked to the development of logical reasoning and the ability to perform mental operations. Piaget found that children do not grasp the concept of conservation until they reach the concrete operational stage, typically around the age of 7 to 11. At this stage, children begin to understand that the quantity of a substance remains the same even if its appearance changes. For instance, if a child sees a ball of clay being rolled out into a long, thin shape, they will eventually understand that the amount of clay is the same before and after the transformation, demonstrating conservation of mass.

The development of conservation relies on the child's ability to perform mental operations and to reverse actions mentally. This is known as reversibility. Reversibility is the ability to mentally undo an action and understand that the result is the same as before the action was performed. It is a crucial component of logical thinking and problem-solving.

Piaget's work on centration and conservation has been foundational in understanding how children progress from intuitive, egocentric thinking to more logical and operational thinking. His theories have been influential in education, as they suggest that children need to be guided through these developmental stages with age-appropriate activities and challenges.

It's important to note that while Piaget's theories have been widely accepted, they have also been subject to criticism and refinement over the years. Some researchers argue that children can demonstrate an understanding of conservation earlier than Piaget suggested, and that social interaction and culture can play a significant role in cognitive development.

In summary, centration and conservation are key concepts in Piaget's theory that describe the progression of a child's cognitive abilities from a focus on single aspects of a situation to an understanding of the constancy of properties despite changes. These concepts are integral to the development of logical reasoning and problem-solving skills.

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Centration: in Piaget's theory, the tendency to attend to only part of a situation. Conservation: an understanding that certain aspects of a situation remain the same in spite of changes to it; it depends on reversibility. Jean Piaget, 1896-C1980.read more >>