Understanding and Applying Cognitive Development Theory

Creating learning environments and learning experiences forstudents is one of the primary purposes of student services.Student services professionals need to have a solid understandingof the cognitive development of college students in order to designactivities that will enhance that development. This issue of NewDirections for Student Services reviews five theories of thecognitive development of college students and explores theapplications of those theories for student affairs practice. Thetheories shed light on gender-related patterns of knowing andreasoning; interpersonal, cultural, and emotional influences oncognitive development; and people's methods of approaching complexissues and defending what they believe.This is the 88th issue of the quarterly journals New Directions forStudent Services.

AUTHORS' NOTES 1Patrick G. Love, Victoria L. Guthrie1. Perry's Intellectual Scheme 5This chapter summarizes Perry's intellectual scheme and places it in the context of the 1990s.2. Women's Ways of Knowing 17Belenky, Clinchy, Goldberger, and Tarule's research on the cognitive development of women is described.3. Baxter Magolda's Epistemological Reflection Model 29Marianne T. BockUnderstanding gender-related patterns of knowing and reasoning in traditional-aged college students is a critical element in effective student affairs practice.4. King and Kitchener's Reflective Judgment Model 41King and Kitchener's model delineates seven consistent patterns that describe how people approach complex issues and defend what they believe.5. Interpersonal, Cultural, and Emotional Influences on Cognitive Development 53This chapter provides an overview of the research linking cognitive development to interpersonal, cultural, and emotional factors.6. Kegan's Orders of Consciousness 65Kegan's theory consists of five orders of consciousness that represent principles of mental organization affecting the way we think, feel, and relate to ourselves and others.7. Synthesis, Assessment, and Application 77This chapter synthesizes the theories, provides a method for intentional informal assessment, and presents information on applying cognitive development theory in practice.REFERENCES 95INDEX 101