Jean Piaget

Date of Birth: August 9, 1896

Zodiac Sign: Leo

Date of Death: September 16, 1980

Biography

Jean Piaget was a Swiss psychologist known for his pioneering work in child development. Born in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Piaget was the eldest son of Arthur Piaget, a professor of medieval literature, and Rebecca Jackson. He exhibited an early interest in the natural sciences, publishing his first paper at the age of 10. Piaget’s academic journey took him to the University of Neuchâtel, where he earned a PhD in natural sciences in 1918. Piaget’s most significant contributions lie in his theory of cognitive development, which posits that children move through distinct stages of mental growth. His work has been instrumental in the fields of developmental psychology and education, influencing how educators understand and approach learning and intelligence in children. His stages of cognitive development include the sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational stages. Throughout his career, Piaget held various academic positions, including a professorship at the University of Geneva. He also served as the director of the International Bureau of Education and was an active member of many scientific societies.

5 Interesting Facts about Jean Piaget

1. Jean Piaget published his first scientific paper on albino sparrows at the age of 10.

2. He initially studied mollusks and had published over 20 scientific papers on them by the age of 21.

3. Piaget’s theory of cognitive development has been foundational in understanding child psychology and education.

4. He founded the International Center for Genetic Epistemology in Geneva in 1955.

5. Jean Piaget was awarded the Erasmus Prize in 1972 for his contributions to social sciences.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jean Piaget

1. “The principal goal of education is to create men who are capable of doing new things, not simply of repeating what other generations have done.”

2. “Intelligence is what you use when you don’t know what to do.”

3. “The more we refine our understanding of sensory experience, the more we become aware of the complexity of knowledge.”

4. “Play is the answer to how anything new comes about.”

5. “To understand is to invent.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Jean Piaget was primarily an academic and did not amass significant personal wealth. His highest net worth is not well-documented, as his contributions were mainly intellectual and educational rather than financial.

Children

Jean Piaget had three children: Jacqueline, Lucienne, and Laurent. His observations of their development greatly influenced his theories on cognitive development.