What term describes the integration of new experiences into existing schemas in cognitive development?

The term that describes the integration of new experiences into existing schemas in cognitive development is known as assimilation. In this process, individuals incorporate new information and experiences into their pre-existing cognitive frameworks, or schemas, without changing those schemas. For example, if a child who has a schema for dogs encounters a new breed they’ve never seen before, they will understand this new breed as a type of dog, adding to their existing knowledge without altering the fundamental idea of what a dog is.

This concept is crucial in understanding how children learn and adapt to their environments, allowing them to make sense of and interact with the world around them based on their accumulated knowledge. Assimilation allows for smooth cognitive development, as it builds on prior understanding while accommodating new information.