DSST Lifespan Developmental Psychology Practice Exam

The term for the adjustment made to one's mind or concepts by the process of assimilation is known as accommodation. In developmental psychology, particularly in the context of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, assimilation refers to the process of integrating new information into existing cognitive schemas. When the new information does not fit into these established schemas, accommodation occurs. This process involves modifying existing schemas or creating new ones to incorporate the new information.

For example, if a child who has a schema for "dog" (all four-legged animals are dogs) sees a cat for the first time and learns that it is a different animal, accommodation happens as the child adjusts their schema to differentiate between dogs and cats. This adjustment is essential for cognitive development because it allows individuals to adapt their thinking as they encounter new experiences and information. Thus, accommodation complements assimilation by ensuring that our understanding of the world evolves in response to new information.