10.11
L'approche nativiste
L'approche nativiste du développement cognitif du nourrisson propose que les nourrissons naissent avec des structures de connaissances inhérentes qui…
The Nativist approach to infant cognitive development suggests that infants are born with significant knowledge and understanding of the world.
For example, infants grasp the concept of object permanence earlier than Jean Piaget initially proposed. Studies show that by three to four months, infants expect objects to be substantial, meaning they don't allow other objects to pass through them, and permanent, continuing to exist even when out of sight.
Elizabeth Spelke, a prominent nativist theorist, supports the core knowledge approach, which proposes that infants are born with domain-specific knowledge systems.
These systems include basic understandings of space, numerical sense, object permanence, and language.
This perspective, influenced by evolutionary theory, suggests that certain knowledge domains are "prewired" in infants to help them make sense of their environment.
This core knowledge forms a foundation for developing more advanced cognitive abilities and learning.
However, critics argue that the nativist approach overemphasizes internal cognitive processes in infants, potentially overlooking the powerful influence of their social environments.
View the full transcript and gain access to JoVE Core videos
Q1: What is the nativist approach to infant cognitive development?
The nativist approach proposes that infants are born with significant innate knowledge and understanding of the world rather than acquiring it gradually through experience. This perspective contrasts with earlier theories like Piaget's theory of cognitive development from childhood into adulthood, which emphasized gradual learning. Nativists argue that infants possess prewired cognitive structures that help them interpret their environment from birth.
Q2: What is object permanence and when do infants develop it according to nativists?
Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight. Nativist research shows infants as young as three to four months expect objects to be substantial and permanent, challenging Piaget's claim that this ability emerges between five to eight months. This early competence suggests object permanence is an innate cognitive capacity rather than a learned skill.
Q3: What is Elizabeth Spelke's core knowledge theory?
Elizabeth Spelke's core knowledge theory proposes that infants possess domain-specific knowledge systems at birth, including understanding of space, numerical sense, object permanence, and language. These specialized cognitive processes are evolutionarily adapted to help infants survive and interact with their surroundings. Core knowledge forms a foundation for developing more advanced cognitive abilities and complex learning throughout development.
Q4: How does evolutionary theory support the nativist approach?
Evolutionary theory supports nativism by suggesting that certain knowledge domains are prewired in infants because they provided survival advantages. Cognitive structures like spatial awareness, numerical sense, and object permanence evolved to equip humans with survival-relevant skills from an early age. This evolutionary perspective explains why infants demonstrate intuitive understanding of physical properties and environmental relationships without explicit instruction.
Q5: What are the main criticisms of the nativist approach?
Critics argue that the nativist approach overemphasizes internal cognitive processes while overlooking the powerful influence of social and environmental factors on infant development. Although innate structures may guide infants' interactions with their surroundings, external factors—particularly social interactions—play a significant role in shaping and enhancing early cognition. This critique suggests a more balanced view incorporating both nature and nurture is necessary.
Q6: What domain-specific knowledge systems do infants possess at birth according to nativists?
According to nativist theory, infants are born with four primary domain-specific knowledge systems: object representation, spatial navigation, numerical sense, and language. Each domain contains specialized cognitive processes that prepare infants for survival and environmental interaction. These systems allow infants to interpret basic environmental cues and form the foundation for more complex learning and cognitive development.
Q7: How do nativist findings about infant cognition differ from Piaget's theory?
Nativist research reveals that infants possess cognitive abilities much earlier than Piaget proposed. For example, infants demonstrate object permanence by three to four months, whereas Piaget suggested this ability emerges between five to eight months through environmental interaction. Nativists attribute these early competencies to innate knowledge structures rather than gradual learning through sensorimotor experience.