Understanding and Applying Cognitive Development Theory: New Directions for Student Services, Number 88
by Patrick G. Love, Victoria L. Guthrie
Category: Education

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.