Sensorimotor

Sensorimotor is a term that refers to a stage in the Piaget's theory of cognitive development and a type of perception that involves the coordination of sensory and motor functions.

Overview

The sensorimotor stage is the first of the four stages proposed by Piaget. It extends from birth to approximately age two. During this stage, infants and toddlers acquire knowledge through sensory experiences and manipulating objects. A central feature of the sensorimotor stage is the development of object permanence—the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched.

Sensorimotor perception, on the other hand, refers to the process of receiving, processing, and responding to sensory information from the environment. This involves the integration of sensory input (such as vision, hearing, touch, etc.) with motor actions (such as reaching, grasping, walking, etc.) to interact effectively with the world.

Sensorimotor Stage

The sensorimotor stage is divided into six sub-stages, each characterized by the development of new intellectual abilities and ways of interacting with the world. These sub-stages are:

1. Simple reflexes (0-1 month): At this stage, the infant's cognitive structure is limited to inborn reflexes such as sucking and grasping.
2. First habits and primary circular reactions (1-4 months): The infant starts to coordinate separate actions into single, integrated activities.
3. Secondary circular reactions (4-8 months): The infant becomes more focused on the world and begins to intentionally repeat an action to trigger a response in the environment.
4. Coordination of secondary circular reactions (8-12 months): The infant starts to show clearly intentional actions. The concept of object permanence begins to be understood.
5. Tertiary circular reactions (12-18 months): The infant starts to experiment with new behavior. This is often referred to as the "trial-and-error" stage.
6. Early representational thought (18-24 months): Infants can now understand the world through mental operations rather than purely through their senses and motor abilities.

Sensorimotor Perception

Sensorimotor perception is a critical aspect of human functioning. It allows individuals to perceive their environment and respond appropriately. This involves the integration of various sensory modalities (such as vision, hearing, touch, etc.) with motor actions. For example, when a person sees a ball coming towards them (visual input), they can calculate its trajectory and speed (processing) and then move their hand to catch it (motor response).

Sensorimotor perception is not static but changes with experience and learning. This is evident in the development of skills such as driving a car or playing a musical instrument, where sensory and motor components need to be finely tuned and coordinated.

See Also

• Cognitive development
• Jean Piaget
• Perception
• Motor coordination

References

Sensorimotor Resources
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