Compare and Contrast: Piaget and Vygotsky's Theories on Development

This essay undertakes a comprehensive comparison and contrast of the influential theories of Jean Piaget and Lev Vygotsky, two seminal figures in the field of developmental psychology. The essay begins by highlighting the core tenets of both Piaget's and Vygotsky's constructivist perspectives, emphasizing their shared focus on how children develop within their social and physical environments. It then delves into a detailed examination of the similarities between the two theories, such as the importance of cognitive schemas, the role of dialogue in learning, and the sequential nature of cognitive development. The essay further contrasts the theories, particularly in their views on the stages of development, the formation of language, and the source of intelligence. The essay concludes by synthesizing the key insights, underscoring the lasting contributions of Piaget and Vygotsky to our understanding of how children learn, develop, and interact with the world around them, with references from Lourenco.

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COMPARE AND CONTRAST PIAGET TOGETHER WITH VYGOTSKY WITH
REFERENCES FROM LOURENCO
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Compare and Contrast Piaget together with Vygotsky with References from Lourenco
Vygotsky along with Piaget is known to be the two vital contributors in impacting
processes of psychological development. These two types of hypotheses present the
constructivist opinion on how the child develops around society1. Besides, these theories
demonstrate that most of the adequately arranged data of a person are concentrated on the
significance of the learning of kids. Such kinds of knowledge are attained through interacting
with their physical environment. In the case of Vygotsky, several theorists believed that children
have to pass through the process of learning through the idea of having interpersonal experiences
alongside their cultural beliefs2. At first glance, Piaget theory and Vygotsky appear to be quite
different. Upon further investigation, however, they pose some similarities. Although they are
different in the areas of learning and formation of language among children, they are similar in
the areas of cognitive capabilities of children to develop with sequence and specific capabilities
created at every stage of life development. Therefore, this research paper examines varied
opinions concerning Vygotsky along with Piaget advancements of the child while critically
exploring some of the similarities as well as disparities amid the two types of theories.
Similarities between Vygotsky along with Piaget Theories
Similarity #1
The essential component in the idea of the theory of Piaget is that different children
always develop throughout four diverse phases. The technique of Piaget describes varied
1 Morrison, Denni. 2002. "The Influence Of Piaget And Vygotsky". Early Years Educator 4 (4): 22-24.
doi:10.12968/eyed.2002.4.4.14964.
2 Shashoua, Ayala, and Deborah Court. 2016. "Analysis 0F Classroom Discourse In ‘Personal Education’ Classes In
Light Of The Theories Of Dewey, Piaget And Vygotsky". Curriculum And Teaching 31 (1): 67-87.
doi:10.7459/ct/31.1.05.

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processes that enable the kids to advance in their four distinct steps as well as to build their
mental schemas such as accommodation along with assimilation. For different kids, Piaget
theory quote that schemes stand out to mean the representation of cognitive of several items and
different people3. Adaptation for the kids states records that the child is capable of appropriately
responding to diverse conditions within such a manner that it is most reliable the very plan that is
preexisting. Furthermore, the theory of Piaget argues that the two different processes that enable
kids to be able to develop in their four distinct phases and of improving their mental
representation are very significant for the kids. Hence, such steps assist the children in creating
necessary and accurate representation with their society. It also helps children to develop the
appropriate description so that they can be able to adapt to different variations.
The hypothesis of Vygotsky connects to the views of Piaget about nature4. For instance,
the theory of Vygotsky proposes that there exist various cultural alternatives to the progress of
cognitive phases of different children, as presented by Piaget's hypothesis. In Vygotsky theory,
the philosopher proposes that children work engagement cognitively together with dialogues
within social interactions in the process of understanding the used symbolism within that contest
in their society5. For example, when kids communicate following Vygotsky with their peers, they
can be able to acquire different skills useful in their daily operations. Such children can be able
to obtain a diverse range of skills that are significant for the processes of solving specific
dilemmas within their individual lives.
3 DeVries, Rheta. 2000. "Vygotsky, Piaget, And Education: A Reciprocal Assimilation Of Theories And
Educational Practices". New Ideas In Psychology 18 (2-3): 187-213. doi:10.1016/s0732-118x(00)00008-8.
4 Lourenço, Orlando. 2012. "Piaget And Vygotsky: Many Resemblances, And A Crucial Difference". New Ideas In
Psychology 30 (3): 281-295. doi:10.1016/j.newideapsych.2011.12.006.
5 "What Are The Similarities Between Piaget And Vygotsky?". 2020. Reference. https://www.reference.com/world-
view/similarities-between-piaget-vygotsky-f65686765f9cf3bb.

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Similarity #2
Theories of Vygotsky and Piaget are related as they both proof that process of dialogues
are valuable to children in incorporating their speeches. The capacity to incorporate statements
has been recorded to be important in allowing children to posse sophisticated capacities in skills
of thinking. Furthermore, theory of Vygotsky has got another vital aspect that connects to Piaget
theory, which is the advancement of Zone of Proximal6. The advancement in both tactics is
useful within process of defining diverse gaps amid actual rate of progress of children as well as
what can be done by different kids by themselves or with the assistance of caregivers or adults.
Both theories possess the massive function in cognitive enhancement as they records that each
child requires to be accessing symbolic tools, which improve their techniques of communication.
Therefore, when each child can internalize different presented skills after attaining the symbolic
devices, they can be capable of using such acquired techniques in expected actions7. Moreover,
both theories by Vygotsky alongside Piaget accounts that through interpersonal knowledge, kids
are capable to have complicated thinking and they can also format different techniques in
attaining solutions to diverse issues that impact their daily lifestyles.
Contrasts between Vygotsky alongside Piaget Theories
Difference #1
6 "Comparison Of Piaget, Vygotsky, Montessori On Early Childhood Education Theories | Decedu". 2020.
Discoverearlychildhoodedu.Org. https://discoverearlychildhoodedu.org/resources/teaching-styles/comparison-
piaget-vygotsky-montessori/.
7 "Similarities Between Vygotsky And Piaget Theories | Piaget Theory, Child Development Theories, Cognitive
Development". 2020. Pinterest. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/483011128787711862/.

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The major disparity in logical plan of these two different theories is that for Piaget, the
philosopher outlines different 4 advancement separated stages that are undergone by every kid in
spite of their cultural backgrounds. However, Piaget theory, the theorists utilized different ranges
of ages for each specific aspect along with kids to have a single phase within the specified age
duration for them to enroll into other stages of their growth of life8. In contrast to theory of
Vygotsky, the theorist is comparatively self-reliant on aspect of occasion as it proposes that each
kid has to undergone process of learning through assistance of adults around the society. In this
hypothesis, cognitive progress is reliant on the potentials of each kid within social interaction
and the purpose of the cultural devices discovered in each situation featured in life conditions.
While, in the Piaget hypothesis, Vygotsky theorist contend that understanding of kid is totally
formed on personal grounds by using the present setting of environment.
Difference #1
The difference amid these two kinds of theories is on how language between the children
is formed. For Piaget theory, it shows that the individual speech of children tend to be an act that
is self-centered as they are unable to take help from any individual. In contrast to Vygotsky, it
appreciates that private interaction to be appropriate stage for the kids to recognize whatever is
being tackled by several adults around the community9. However, Vygotsky theory accounts that
speech of self-lending mostly target at regulating the trait of individual, but Piaget theory
contends that it limits the capacity of thinking.
8 Haji Botty, Haji Mohammad Redzuan, and Masitah Shahrill. 2014. "The Impact Of Gagné, Vygotsky And Skinner
Theories In Pedagogical Practices Of Mathematics Teachers In Brunei Darussalam". Review Of European Studies 6
(4). doi:10.5539/res.v6n4p100.
9 Thomas, Gavin. 2020. "Piaget Vs Vygotsky: Similarities And Differences Between Their Theories ~
LORECENTRAL". LORECENTRAL. https://www.lorecentral.org/2018/06/piaget-vs-vygotsky-similarities-and-
differences-between-their-theories.html.

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Difference #3
All these two theories of Piaget and one for Vygotsky contrast on asserting the source of
intelligence. For Piaget theory, it records that several actions of the kid decide their intelligence.
On the other end, for Vygotsky theory, the philosopher alleged that any process of learning
proceed development as the theory supposes that children normally relies on communal
interaction for them to include social portrayal in their desire for cognitive indulgence10. For the
theory of Vygotsky, the theorist investigates the starting point of intelligence as the act of
stimulation from various individuals. Nevertheless, fir the case of Piaget, the philosopher
accounts that it is inappropriate to the communication among persons. Hence, the fundamental
difference amid Piaget alongside Vygotsky is that in Piaget theory, the theorist believed that idea
of self-discovery among children is significant. Whereas, in Vygotsky theory, the theorist
believed that learning is done through idea of being taught by the more skilled and
knowledgeable than others.
Conclusion
These two theories of Vygotsky together with Piaget illustrate diverse opinions that vary
considerably in description. Moreover, these two theories both concentrate in illustrating the
advancement of children with dialectical tactics. It is clear from above comparison that these two
theories match in interaction processes between distinct together with interdependent function on
psychology. Hence, for Piaget, kids are often accommodated alongside incorporated into their
plan. For the case of Vygotsky, kids always incorporate their action to dialogue as well as
internalizing devices of culture within the progress of the inner speech. It can be noted that one
10 Thomas, Gavin. 2020. "Piaget Vs Vygotsky: Similarities And Differences Between Their Theories ~
LORECENTRAL". LORECENTRAL. https://www.lorecentral.org/2018/06/piaget-vs-vygotsky-similarities-and-
differences-between-their-theories.html.

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of the similarity between these two theories is that cognitive capabilities of children develop
within the sequence and specific capacities created at particular stages. The learning process
among children is presented by the two theories to be increasingly complex data and skills as
kids get older. The other disparity within these two theories is that in Piaget theory stated kids
learn through active self-discovery while Vygotsky stated that kids learn through guidance and
efficient instructions.
Bibliographies

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"Comparison Of Piaget, Vygotsky, Montessori On Early Childhood Education Theories |
Decedu". 2020. Discoverearlychildhoodedu.Org.
https://discoverearlychildhoodedu.org/resources/teaching-styles/comparison-piaget-
vygotsky-montessori/.
DeVries, Rheta. 2000. "Vygotsky, Piaget, And Education: A Reciprocal Assimilation Of
Theories And Educational Practices". New Ideas In Psychology 18 (2-3): 187-213.
doi:10.1016/s0732-118x(00)00008-8.
Haji Botty, Haji Mohammad Redzuan, and Masitah Shahrill. 2014. "The Impact Of Gagné,
Vygotsky And Skinner Theories In Pedagogical Practices Of Mathematics Teachers In
Brunei Darussalam". Review Of European Studies 6 (4). doi:10.5539/res.v6n4p100.
Lourenço, Orlando. 2012. "Piaget And Vygotsky: Many Resemblances, And A Crucial
Difference". New Ideas In Psychology 30 (3): 281-295.
doi:10.1016/j.newideapsych.2011.12.006.
Morrison, Denni. 2002. "The Influence Of Piaget And Vygotsky". Early Years Educator 4 (4):
22-24. doi:10.12968/eyed.2002.4.4.14964.
Quinn, Sheila O’Brien. 2014. "Pushing The Research Further: Both Vygotsky And Piaget Would
Be Pleasedpushing The Research Further: Both Vygotsky And Piaget Would Be
Pleasedpushing The Research Further: Both Vygotsky And Piaget Would Be Pleased".
Psyccritiquespsyccritiquespsyccritiques 595959 (484848). doi:10.1037/a0038127.

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Shashoua, Ayala, and Deborah Court. 2016. "Analysis 0F Classroom Discourse In ‘Personal
Education’ Classes In Light Of The Theories Of Dewey, Piaget And Vygotsky".
Curriculum And Teaching 31 (1): 67-87. doi:10.7459/ct/31.1.05.
"Similarities Between Vygotsky And Piaget Theories | Piaget Theory, Child Development
Theories, Cognitive Development". 2020. Pinterest.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/483011128787711862/.
Thomas, Gavin. 2020. "Piaget Vs Vygotsky: Similarities And Differences Between Their
Theories ~ LORECENTRAL". LORECENTRAL.
https://www.lorecentral.org/2018/06/piaget-vs-vygotsky-similarities-and-differences-
between-their-theories.html.
"What Are The Similarities Between Piaget And Vygotsky?". 2020. Reference.
https://www.reference.com/world-view/similarities-between-piaget-vygotsky-
f65686765f9cf3bb.