Robert Kegan's analysis of Jean Piaget's cognitive development theory

Unrecognized Genius of Jean Piaget

Kegan reflects on the work of Jean Piaget, emphasizing the importance of his work. He first looks at Kegan's most famous study, in which he fills two identically shaped beakers with equal amounts of water. He then asks the child whether or not they are of equal volume, and when the child agrees, he pours the contents into a thinner beaker. The child then has to decide which has more, and usually opts for the taller and thinner beaker. Kegan is pointing out the relative adaptive balance that is being made by the child. Children have their own perceptions of the physical world, and often have difficulty discerning relative differences in shapes and forms, among other things. Kegan purports that, "For the preoperational child, it is never just one's perceptions that change; rather, the world itself, as a consequence, changes" (29).

Kegan then goes on to explore the concrete child or mature, developed child (usually around ten years of age). He explains that at this stage of development, children are more interested in the limits of the world, and vast exploration of their environment. Kegan writes, "From our more evolved point-of-view we might say it is an exploration along a plane without recognition of the third dimension" (36). The concrete child has the ability to coordinate, and take empirical evidence and use it for equating similarities and differences. The concrete child has the ability to see processes, how they transpired, and how they can be reversed. Kegan writes, "This new subjectivity can now construe the world propositionally, hypothetically, inferentially, abstractly" (38).

These are observations initially made by Piaget that were so revolutionary in the analysis of mental and cognitive development. Kegan points out that Piaget's vision derives from a model of open-systems evolutionary biology. He writes, "Rather than locating the life force in the closed individual or the environmental press, it locates a prior context which continually elaborates the distinction between the individual and the environment in the first place" (43). In other words, when analyzing cognitive development, we need to focus not solely on the environment or brain, but rather on both as intertwining entities.

Piaget's framework was based around equilibration, or the ongoing conversation between the human and the world. This, Kegan notes, is a process of adaptation shaped by the tension between the assimilation of different experiences to inherent conceptions of the world. He says that while this process can be described as completely biological, it cannot be ignored that it is essentially grounded in experience. Our emotions: loss, recovery, anxiety, depression, and happiness, stem from action rather than biology.

Commentary:

Piaget's framework is very easy to relate to. While biology is certainly a key factor in our cognitive development, we also cannot ignore the importance of environment. We are raised according to culture, paradigms, and most importantly, the principles of those around us. We are not products of biology, but rather of experience. For example, I define my life by action. Everything that has been pivotal in my life has been some sort of experience. It is experience that produces my emotions, and most likely was the original developer of emotions.

There is kind of an ambiguity in that, biologically speaking, the individual can be separated from experience, but at the same time, it cannot. It really depends on the framework used to define cognitive development. If one chooses that of a biologist, he or she would have to opt against Piaget's vision, but if one chooses that of experience, he or she is conforming to his standards of development analysis.

As previously mentioned, I agree with Piaget's framework. Experience is the catalyst in our cognitive development. I almost think biology could play a very small degree in this. For example, different environments tend to produce different minds, as opposed to biology. Certainly, the chemical reactions of our mind have some influence on our thinking, but experience has to be the predominant source.

Chapter 2: The Evolution of Moral Meaning

This chapter begins with Kegan's analysis of both the sophistication and immaturity displayed by children presented with a moral story. The students showed an aptitude for feelings, especially those of good and bad. They recognized when the character in the story was happy, and when he was depressed. They instinctively knew that the former was better. They were able to put themselves in the characters mind in order to judge his feelings.

The preoperational child, on the other hand, does not have the ability to place themselves in the position of a character from a story. They cannot distinguish other perceptions while still being themselves. This is called the first Kohlberg stage, or the social correlate. Kegan defines it as, "the inability to distinguish between the other and my perception of the other, and the inability to get behind y perceptions and see the other as himself having to do with his properties" (51).

Kegan goes on to analyze the other Kohlberg stages as they relate to development and moral aptitude. He comes to a crossroad in that at the latter stages of development, which theoretically are both equivalent, produce different actions in children. Kegan tries to interpret this by inferring that commitment is the deciding factor. As he puts it, "Although concern for friends or loyalty to parents has some temporal dimension -- that is, the concern and loyalty may persist in the absence of the friend or the parent -- the commitment that has its origin in the physical presence of the other, is bound to shared space" (58). In other words, the idea of commitment is the variable when it comes to different moral decisions in the later Kohlberg stages.

He concludes that development is not only a matter of differentiation, but also reintegration. In other words, we reintegrate into a wider system of meaning when distinguishing moral values. These values, according to Kohlberg, "do not make the law or the maintenance of the group ultimate, but rather orient to a process by which the laws are generated, to which they can be appealed for modification on behalf of equally protecting the dignities of and opportunities of all parties" (67).

Commentary:

thought the end of this chapter, where he deals with how we orient ourselves, was the most interesting. Kegan brings up the idea that, while we differentiate ourselves according to our country, environment, culture, family, ect, we also integrate ourselves to the greater meaning of "society." Our affection to our relative groups is not ultimate, but rather fairly fragile. It does not control our lives like many previous intellectuals have inferred. Instead, we have a general sense of integration to all of society, and all so-called "groups."

He tells the story about the Israeli doctor, and his approach to treating Arab soldiers. He has a partiality to treat the Israeli wounded, but at the same time, he feels as if it is his duty to help the wounded Arab. Whether this is inherent, or learned, I do not know. But what is interesting is that he is identifying an affection shared by all humans, for all humans.

This, Kegan infers, might be a step of evolution that all human beings go through. It could be deeply-embedded, inherent beliefs in all humans that there are a certain set of moral rules. It is possible that these are not learned. I believe this to be the case. I think that cognitive development might refine our outlooks on morals, but the basis for them is instilled in us from birth. We can tell right and wrong from an early age. We know to identify happiness as goodness, and depression as bad.

Chapter 3: The Constitution of the Self.

In this chapter, Kegan sorts out the ideas of "self" and "others." He points out that the inability to differentiate between the two can be traced back to early cognitive development. Kegan describes it as, "Recurring issues of differentiation and integration throughout life come to b understood as the consequences, reflections, or offspring of this earliest period. The recognition of this crucial era prior even to the oedipal years has led in effect to a restatement of Freud's dictum: now it is the infant who is father to the man" (75).

He counters this argument later in the chapter, though, by saying that early infancy is not qualitatively different from any other moment in the lifespan. The fundamental aspect is not the stage of life, but rather the activity of meaning-constitutive evolution. He says that infancy initiates themes that are traced through one's lifespan, but it is by no means a determiner of one's cognitive self.

Newborns, Kegan asserts, live in an objectless world where everything is taken to be an extension of one's self. The infant's "binding energy" is moved from him or her, to another object. As Kegan puts it, "The infant's natural narcissism, or self-absorption, gradually comes to an end as he withdraws an attachment to himself in favor of a new 'object choice' outside himself (78). When an infant differentiates him or herself from the world, the cognitive reaction becomes independent.

Kegan points out that the neo-Piagetian view emphasizes the first eighteen months of life as the first instance of basic evolutionary activity. The child realizes that it is his or her own movements that create action. He or she realizes that there is a separate world, and that the world changes based on individual movements or actions. Kegan continues by pointing out that, "the process of differentiation, creating the possibility of integration, brings into being the lifelong theme of finding and losing, which before now could not have existed" (81).

Kegan defines the next stage as the impulsive balance stage. During this time, the child learns to employ reflexes as opposed to being them. The child learns to coordinate the "perceptions" and "impulses." Furthermore, the child is able to recognize separate objects according to his or her perceptions, as opposed to objective ones. This goes back to the example of the child's interpretation of the two beakers filled with water. During this stage, the child can perceive a difference between the two, yet cannot equate the equivalence of them.

The second stage Kegan defines as the imperial balance, which he distinguishes himself or herself from others. He or she is aware of the private world they exist in, and the independent thought they are capable of. The child can now control with great accuracy his or her impulses. Things are no longer random, but happen for reasons, usually because of causality. This stage also marks the beginning of a conscious, and feelings of guilt. This stage can be closely associated with the previous chapter's exploration of the development of feelings of morality. No longer are the child's actions free of consequence.

The third stage is that of interpersonal balance, which the introduction to personal conflict is. It involves the resolution of ideas, and rationalization of actions. This stage incorporates for the first time the idea of balancing and rational thought in decision making.

The fourth stage is that of institutional balance, which another stage of strengthening independence is. Finally, stage 5, or the interindividual balance stage, emphasizes the increased capacity to hear, speak, and alter behavior accordingly. Kegan points out the most important consequence of this stage is the finalization of "self."

Commentary:

The stages seem to make sense, but this chapter makes me wonder what kind of empirical evidence led to their differentiations. How are we to know that the stages occur precisely at this order, and furthermore, how are we to decipher the child's interpretation of self?

Kegan points out that these stages are somewhat intertwined, and can overlap. He says that every developmental stage is an evolutionary truce, or balance, but that at the same time, they can be transcended. The child may move back and forth between these stages in order to achieve some sort of balance. This repetition may serve as a further construction of the "self," or it may just serve as a reinforcement of previously learned ideas.

Chapter 7: The Growth and Loss of Interpersonal Self

This chapter focuses on the greater degree of separation that happens later in life, usually when separating from one's parents completely. This is a time of absolute self independence, but also of emotional struggle. Like the other stages, it presents new challenges that need to be overcome. It is a time for recognizing more important themes in others such as: culture, sex, and general behavior.

Commentary:

Without a doubt, this stage is important in our lives. I think, for me at least, it marked the end of my path toward adulthood. Though I was still a little emotionally immature, I had a self-dependence about me that I did not prior to leaving my parents house. I was faced with many new challenges, but my previous experience helped me deal with these, and persevere in this new environment.

Chapter 8: The Growth and Loss of the Institutional Self.

Kegan points out that there is an institutional balance within our personalities and that at some point we must come to terms with it. In dealing with it, we need to move away from this institutional balance, and re-organize our inner experience and outer behavior.

This transition, like the others, can be painful, but also exciting. It can lead a person to feel as if they lost their identity, or that they have betrayed themselves, but it can also lead a person to believe they have taken on a better outlook of the world. A lot of this change comes in the form of ethical decision making, and ethical relativism, which Kegan defines as, "the belief that there is no arbitrary basis for considering one thing more right than another" (232).

Kegan says that institutional balance is eventually contained by self-possessiveness. He concludes by pointing out that, "Reciprocity now becomes a matter of both holding and being held, a mutual protection of each partner's opportunity to experience and exercise both sides of life's fundamental tension.

Commentary:

The theme of institutional balance is one of great complexity. No longer are the answers cut and draw as they were in the early stages. At this level, the individual has complex decisions that often contradict prevailing viewpoints. The individual is forced to rationalize these, which is no easy task. This stage can be defined as essentially "good" or "bad," depending on the context of these changes, and the individual's reaction to them.

Chapter 9: Natural Therapy.

The final chapter reflects on the main points explored earlier in the book. Kegan goes back to his point of "holding," and points out that it can extend to all periods of our life, as opposed to just the initial once (even though it is more prevalent in these).

He goes on to emphasize the importance of the parenting culture, and the need to acknowledge and nurture the child's capacity for fantasy. Also crucial in the cognitive development of the child is the role recognition. This is rather formulaic, in that children are supposed to perceive different roles during different periods of their life. He also emphasizes the culture of mutuality and the culture of self-authorship as variables in psychological self-definition.

He says that psychologists need to find better ways to support these ideas, and support the families and communities which are put under enormous stress by the modern institutional life.

Commentary:

think it is very interesting how important the development of a child is to their personality later in life. It is also interesting how many behavioral problems people have as adults can be attributed to their development.

This being the case, I agree with Kegan's emphasis on supporting the families and communities that children grow up in. Putting more money and recourses into these areas could greatly facilitate the successful completion of all the stages just explored. Behavioral problems and mental illness could be greatly avoided, and many of the problems our society faces today could be alleviated.

In his book, The Evolving Self, Robert Kegan takes the reader through the different stages of development, even the stages that occur in adulthood. He points out the importance of infancy, without disregarding the relative importance of the latter stages. He recommends more attention to the development and growth of individuals as the key to a better society.