On Developmental Heterogeneity: The Case for Piaget

Abstract

Although the Piagetan theory seems to imply homogeneity in the development of operational structures, heterogeneity is frequently noted. In this paper, an attempt is made to point out that observed heterogeneity, in the form of three main types, does not necessarily mean that the Piagetan theory is wrong. On the contrary, heterogeneity seems a consequence of basic aspects of the theory. An attempt is made to outline the conditions for verifying statements from Piagetan theory. Such statements are held to be dependent upon a control for the relationship between the operational structure and the experimental material, called “action-distance.”