How did Jean Piaget's view on cognitive development differ from Lev Vygotsky's perspective?

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Jean Piaget's perspective on cognitive development centers around the idea that children actively construct their own understanding of the world through experiences and interactions. This self-construction occurs as they go through distinct stages of cognitive development, where they build knowledge based on their own explorations and discoveries rather than simply absorbing information from instructors or external sources.

Piaget posited that learning is an internal process driven by the child's needs and interests, leading to unique and personal interpretations of their experiences. In contrast to Vygotsky, who emphasized the social context and cultural factors in learning, Piaget focused more on the individual's intrinsic capability to learn, problem-solve, and develop cognitively through direct engagement with their environment.

This distinction highlights the importance of self-directed exploration in Piaget's theory, where children are seen as active contributors to their learning journey. Vygotsky's recognition of social interactions and cultural influences on cognitive development differs significantly from Piaget's emphasis on the independent construction of knowledge.

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