Postformal thought

Developmental psychology initially focused on childhood development through Jean Piaget's four stages of human cognitive development, the last stage of which is known as the formal operational stage. Extending developmental psychology to adults, most neo-Piagetian theories of cognitive development have posited one or more stages of postformal thought.[1] Postformal thought is also addressed by some non-Piagetian theories of developmental psychology, including Michael Commons' model of hierarchical complexity and Otto Laske's constructive developmental framework.

Postformal thought has been described as more flexible, logical, willing to accept moral and intellectual complexities, and dialectical than previous stages in development.[1] Of postformal thought, Griffin and colleagues said, "one can conceive of multiple logics, choices, or perceptions ... in order to better understand the complexities and inherent biases in 'truth'".[2] Jan Sinnott described postformal thought as the step beyond formal thought "by which individuals come to know the world outside themselves".[3]: 24 

  1. ^ a b Berger, Kathleen Stassen (2014). Invitation to the Life Span (Second ed.). New York: Worth Publishers. pp. 399–401. ISBN 978-1-4292-8352-6.
  2. ^ Griffin, James; Gooding, Sarah; Semesky, Michael; Farmer, Brittany; Mannchen, Garrett; Sinnott, Jan (August 2009). "Four brief studies of relations between postformal thought and non-cognitive factors: personality, concepts of God, political opinions, and social attitudes". Journal of Adult Development. 16 (3): 173–182 (173). doi:10.1007/s10804-009-9056-0. S2CID 143492595.
  3. ^ Sinnott, Jan D. (1998). The development of logic in adulthood: postformal thought and its applications. New York. doi:10.1007/978-1-4757-2911-5. ISBN 978-1-4757-2911-5. OCLC 851775294.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)