Theory of Conceptual Fields: visiting its essential foundations and prospects for teaching sciences

Abstract

The Theory of Conceptual Fields, developed by French philosopher, mathematician and psychologist Gérard Vergnaud (1933), is a cognitive theory that refers to the construction of concepts as its essential foundation. The knowledge of an individual, according to Vergnaud, is constructed insofar as this person manages to establish relationships and conceptualize certain situations or problems. Bearing in mind these assumptions, the aim of this study was to sketch some basics, introduced by Vergnaud, that are based on the Theory of Conceptual Fields, such as conceptual fields, concepts, situations, schemes, operative invariants and representations. To this end, his early and current studies were consulted. More than the assumptions, the Theory of Conceptual Fields has proven relevant to understanding the development processes of scientific knowledge, in addition to constructing a good point of reference for the study, elaboration and understanding of practices for teaching sciences.

Keywords

• aprendizagem
• teoria do conhecimento
• ensino de ciências
• campos conceituais