Final Answer:
The controversial theory proposing that children go through five stages of development is Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development is one of the most influential theories in developmental psychology, suggesting that children progress through five stages of cognitive development. These stages are Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, Formal Operational, and Post-Formal Operational.
Piaget argued that children actively construct their understanding of the world through these stages, gradually acquiring skills and mental abilities. Each stage represents a qualitative shift in thinking and understanding, marked by specific cognitive milestones and ways of reasoning.
The Sensorimotor stage occurs from birth to around 2 years old, during which infants learn about the world through their senses and actions. Preoperational stage (2-7 years) involves symbolic thinking and the use of language, but children struggle with logical reasoning. Concrete Operational stage (7-11 years) is characterized by more logical and organized thinking, while the Formal Operational stage (adolescence to adulthood) signifies the ability to think abstractly and solve complex problems.
Piaget's theory, although seminal, has received criticism for its age generalizations and the idea that development is strictly stage-based. Nonetheless, it remains a foundational framework in understanding child development.