What is the focus of Piaget's theory of development?

Piaget's theory of development primarily focuses on cognitive development, which refers to the processes by which individuals acquire knowledge and understanding through experience, thought, and the senses. He proposed that cognitive development occurs in four distinct stages: sensorimotor, preoperational, concrete operational, and formal operational. Each of these stages signifies different ways in which children think and understand the world around them.

By studying how children think and reason at different ages, Piaget emphasized not only what children know but also how their thinking evolves and becomes more sophisticated as they mature. This theoretical framework underscores the idea that children actively construct their understanding of reality through interaction with their environment, rather than passively receiving information.

In contrast to the other areas mentioned, Piaget's work did not specifically address affective, social, or moral dimensions of development. While these areas are also important in understanding human development, Piaget's contributions are most aligned with the cognitive processes that underlie learning and intelligence.