Preoperational to Operational: Some Implications for the Development of the Self-concept

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Abstract
The relationship between children's levels of cognitive development and their formation of a self-concept was examined. Three comparisons were made between 30 preoperational boys and girls (mean age 6 years 4 months) and 30 operational boys and girls (mean age 8 years 2 months). These comparisons were of: (a) relative abilities to identify and classify two areas of behaviour – schoolwork-oriented and sporting behaviour; and (b) relative abilities to differentiate between four minor self-concept areas. The results suggest that the acquisition of operational thought enhances the ability of the child to self-reflect and to differentiate between sources and categories of self-information.

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