The origins of intelligence in children

Translated by Margaret Cook.. c1952 by International Universities Press.

Introduction - The biological problem of intelligence. 1 The functional invariants of intelligence and biological organization. 2 Functional invariants and the categories of reason. 3 Hereditary structures and theories of adaptation. Part 1 - Elementary sensorimotor adaptations. 1 The first stage: the use of reflexes. 2 The second stage: the first acquired adaptations and the primary circular reaction. Part 2 - The intentional sensorimotor adaptations. 3 The third stage: the "secondary circular reactions" and the procedures destined to make interesting sights last. 4 The fourth stage: the coordination of the secondary schemata and their application to new situations. 5 The fifth stage: the "tertiary circular reaction" and the "discovery of new means through active experimentation". 6 The sixth stage: the invention of new means through mental combinations. Conclusions - "Sensorimotor" or "practical" intelligence and the theories of intelligence

'The theses developed in this volume, which concern in particular the formation of the sensorimotor schemata and the mechanism of mental assimilation, have given rise to much discussion which pleases us and prompts us to thank both our opponents and our sympathizers for their kind interest in our work....' --Foreword to the second edition

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