On the current and potential scope of generative theories of cognitive development

✍ Scribed by Daniel Bullock

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1981
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 989 KB
• Volume: 1981
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1520-3247
• DOI: 10.1002/cd.23219811210

✦ Synopsis

wiun dcucloptncntalis~.~ overmrphasiu economy in their explanations of how cognitive stncchtrcs arc gemate4 they get into tmubk Yit the generative appmuch remains applicabtc to the issues raised in earlier chapters-and to some l u ~u isxues PT well. On the Current and Potential Scope of Generative Theories of Cognitive Development Daniel Bullock

Broadly conceived, generative theories are concerned with how structure arises in nature. Generative models typically show how a small number of processes can operate with respect to a small number of elements to generate a relatively large number of products. In nature, such products range from chemicals to gene pools (species) to utterances. Since mature sciences are notable for their generative theories, it is at least arguable that mature theory in the area of cognitive development will have a generative character.

This chapter represents a limited survey of cognitive-developmental research from a generative perspective. After discussing three aspects of a good generative theory, I will examine the current scope of such theory in the area of cognitive development. I will then offer some principles for further

would like to thank Laura Merrill, Kurt Fischer, Michael Westerman, and Sybillyn Jennings for helpful comments on earlier versions of this chapter. The chapter's preparation was supported by NIMH Postdoctoral Training Grant No. 2T 32MH 14644-06.