Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development

Key Concepts

• Schema

  • A mental framework or set of schemes used to organize thoughts.
  • Can be thought of as a "bucket" or "category" for organizing information.

• Assimilation

  • The process of incorporating new information into existing schemas.
  • Example: Seeing a new four-legged animal (cat) and trying to fit it into an existing schema for dogs.

• Accommodation

  • The process of creating a new schema when new information doesn't fit into an existing one.
  • Example: Developing a separate schema for cats when distinguishing them from dogs.

Illustrative Example

• Dog Schema

  • Characteristics: Four-legged, furry, animal with a tail.

• Cat Encounter

  • Initially, a child might identify a cat as a dog due to similar characteristics.
  • An adult can guide the child in accommodation by creating a separate schema for cats.

Summary

• Discussion of how children process new information.
• Importance of understanding assimilation and accommodation in cognitive development.
• Examples used: Dogs and Cats.

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Remember to think of schemas as mental categories that help us organize and make sense of the world. Assimilation and accommodation are vital processes in adapting our schemas to incorporate new information.