Problems of Equilibration

The title “Equilibration” refers to one factor that I think is essential in cognitive development. In order to understand the role of this factor, we must relate it to the classical factors that have always been understood to be pertinent in cognitive development. There are three such classical factors: the influences of the physical environment, the external experience of objects; innateness, the hereditary program; and social transmission, the effects of social influences. It is clear that all three are important in cognitive development. I will begin by discussing them separately. But as we discuss them, I think we will see that no one of the three is sufficient in itself. Each one of them implies a fundamental factor of equilibration, upon which I shall place special emphasis.