What is the term for the ability to adapt to new information and experiences?

Cognitive flexibility is the term that describes the ability to adapt to new information and experiences. This cognitive skill enables individuals to shift their thinking and behavior in response to changing circumstances, ideas, or challenges. It plays a crucial role in problem-solving, learning, and interacting with others effectively.

Individuals who exhibit cognitive flexibility can consider multiple perspectives, alter their approaches when faced with uncertainty, and learn from feedback. This adaptability is essential for healthy cognitive and social development, particularly in children, as they navigate new situations and learn from varying experiences. Developing cognitive flexibility is important for promoting resilience, creativity, and effective decision-making, all of which are fundamental components of overall cognitive growth.

In contrast, concepts like cognitive inflexibility and cognitive rigidity refer to difficulties in adapting to new information, highlighting an inability to adjust one’s thoughts or behaviors. Cognitive independence, while related to self-directed learning and autonomy, does not specifically address the adaptiveness to new experiences.