What is the process of adapting current understandings (schemas) to incorporate new information called?

The process of adapting current understandings, or schemas, to incorporate new information is known as accommodation. When we encounter new information that does not fit into our existing schemas, accommodation allows us to modify our current understandings to integrate this new data. This is an essential aspect of cognitive development, as it enables individuals to adjust their understanding of the world based on experiences and learning.

For instance, if a child has a schema for dogs that includes only small breeds but then sees a large dog, instead of simply adding this new dog to their existing category (which would be assimilation), they must accommodate by broadening their concept of what a dog can be to include larger breeds. This flexibility and ability to adapt is crucial for effective learning and understanding.

Concepts refer to the mental groups or categories we form based on shared features, while assimilation involves fitting new information into existing schemas without changing them. Displacement, on the other hand, often pertains to concepts in psychology related to redirecting emotions or impulses rather than cognitive adaptation.