Which developmental theory emphasizes the role of cognitive development?

Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development focuses specifically on how individuals acquire and understand knowledge through various stages of development. It outlines a structured progression in cognitive abilities from infancy to adolescence, which includes distinct stages such as the sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational stages. Each of these stages represents a different way that children think about and comprehend the world around them.

This theory places a strong emphasis on the active role of children in their own learning processes as they interact with their environment. As children grow, they engage in activities that help them construct knowledge and develop cognitively. This contrasts with other theories, such as Erikson's psychosocial development, which primarily addresses social and emotional development across the lifespan, or Pavlov's and Skinner's theories, which focus on behavior modification through conditioning rather than cognitive processes.