Which process involves adjusting a schema so that the new information fits?

Which process involves adjusting a schema so that the new information fits?

• A. Assimilation
• B. Accommodation
• C. Schemas
• D. Object permanence

Answer: (B)

This question tests how people adjust their mental frameworks when new information arrives. A schema is a mental model of how something works. When new information shows up, you can either fit it into an existing schema (assimilation) or revise the schema itself to fit the new data (accommodation). The described process—changing a schema so the new information fits—is accommodation, because the structure of your thinking is being revised to incorporate the new reality. For example, if a child learns that not every four‑legged animal is a dog, they modify their animal category to create separate schemas for dogs and other animals, rather than simply forcing the new animal into the old dog category. Object permanence is about understanding that objects continue to exist when not seen, which is a different concept, and schemas refer to the mental frameworks themselves rather than the process of changing them.

This question tests how people adjust their mental frameworks when new information arrives. A schema is a mental model of how something works. When new information shows up, you can either fit it into an existing schema (assimilation) or revise the schema itself to fit the new data (accommodation). The described process—changing a schema so the new information fits—is accommodation, because the structure of your thinking is being revised to incorporate the new reality. For example, if a child learns that not every four‑legged animal is a dog, they modify their animal category to create separate schemas for dogs and other animals, rather than simply forcing the new animal into the old dog category. Object permanence is about understanding that objects continue to exist when not seen, which is a different concept, and schemas refer to the mental frameworks themselves rather than the process of changing them.