Abstract
Traditional conceptions of cognitive development have failed to account for changes in adult cognition as well as more subjective and intuitive features of human experience. This paper reviews recent theories and research in cognitive development and spirituality with the aim of providing connections between the two domains. Neo-Piagetian and postformal theories of cognitive development suggest that advances in cognition are domain-specific, dependent on individual experience, and can occur at any point in the lifespan. However, theories of spiritual development have not adequately addressed these points. Thus, a novel account of spiritual development is presented that addresses these features with respect to individuals' changing conceptions of their relation to an External Power.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Bidell, T. R., &Fisher, K. W. (1992). Beyond the stage debate: Action, structure, and variability in Piagetian theory and research. In R. J. Sternberg &C. A. Berg (Eds.), Intellectual development. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Blackburn, J. A., &Papalia, D. E. (1992). The study of adult cognition from a Piagetian perspective. In R. J. Sternberg &C. A. Berg (Eds.), Intellectual development. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Case, R. (1992). Neo-Piagetian theories of child development. In R. J. Sternberg &C. A. Berg (Eds.), Intellectual development. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Conn, J. W. (1993). Spirituality and personal maturity. In R. J. Wicks,R.D. Parsons, &D. Capps (Eds.), Clinical handbook of pastoral counseling, Volume 1: Expanded edition (pp. 37-57). Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press.
Elkind, D. (1997). The origins of religion in the child. In B. Spilka &D. N. McIntosh (Eds.), The psychology of religion (Chap. 8, pp. 97-104). Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
Fleck, J. R.,Ballard, S.N., &Reilly, J.W. (1975). The development of religious concepts and maturity: A three stage model. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 3, 156-163.
Fowler, J. W. (1981). Stages of faith: The psychology of human development and the quest for meaning. New York: Harper Collins.
Fowler, J.W. (1994). Moral stages and the development of faith. In B. Puka (Ed.), Moral development: A compendium, Volume 2 (pp. 344-374) New York: Garland Publishing.
Hamilton, D. M., &Jackson, M. H. (1998). Spiritual development: Paths and processes. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 25, 262-270.
Karmiloff-Smith, A. (1991). Innate constraints and developmental change. In S. Carey &R. Gelman (Eds.), The epigenesis of mind: Essays on biology and cognition. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Koplowitz, H. (1990). Unitary consciousness and the highest development of the mind: The relation between spiritual development and cognitive development. In M. L. Commons,C. Armon,L. Kohlberg,F. A. Richards,T. A. Grotzer, &J.D. Sinnott (Eds.), Adult development, Volume 2: Models and methods in the study of adolescent and adult thought (Chap. 6, pp. 105-111). New York: Praeger.
Labouvie-Vief, G. (1990). Modes of knowledge and the organization of development. In M. L. Commons,C. Armon,L. Kohlberg,F. A. Richards,T. A. Grotzer, &J. D. Sinnott (Eds.), Adult development, Volume 2: Models and methods in the study of adolescent and adult thought (Chap. 3, pp. 43-62). New York: Praeger.
Labouvie-Vief, G. (1992). A neo-Piagetian perspective on adult cognitive development. In R. J. Sternberg &C.A. Berg (Eds.), Intellectual development. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Mitchell, C. E. (1988). Paralleling cognitive and moral development with spiritual development and denominational choice. Psychology, a Journal of Human Behavior, 25, 1-9.
Nipkow, K. E.,Schweitzer, F., &Fowler, J. W. (1991). Introduction. In J. W. Fowler,K. E. Nipkow, &F. Schweitzer (Eds.), Stages of faith and religious development: Implications for church, education, and society (pp. 1-15). NewYork: Crossroad Publishing.
Ormer, R., &Fowler, J. W. (1993). Childhood and adolescence-a faith development perspective. In R. J. Wicks,R. D. Parsons, &D. Capps (Eds.), Clinical handbook of pastoral counseling, Volume 1: Expanded edition (pp. 171-212). Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press.
Oser, F. (1991). Toward a logic of religious development: A reply to my critics. In J. W. Fowler,K. E. Nipkow, &F. Schweitzer (Eds.), Stages of faith and religious development: Implications for church, education, and society (pp. 37-64). New York: Crossroad Publishing.
Oser, F. (1994). The development of religious judgment. In B. Puka (Ed.), Fundamental research in moral development (pp. 375-395). New York: Garland Publishing.
Oser, F. K., &Gmünder, P. (1991). Religious judgement: A developmental approach. Birmingham: Religious Education Press.
Piaget, J. (1972). Intellectual evolution from adolescence to adulthood. Human Development, 15, 1-12.
Piaget, J., &Inhelder, B. (1969). The psychology of the child (Helen Weaver, Trans.). New York: Basic Books (Original work published 1966).
Sinnott, J. D. (1998). The development of logic in adulthood: Postformal thought and its applications. New York: Plenum.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cartwright, K.B. Cognitive Developmental Theory and Spiritual Development. Journal of Adult Development 8, 213–220 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011386427919
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011386427919