A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

Which cognitive process involves fitting new information into existing cognitive frameworks?

1. Accommodation

2. Assimilation

3. Equilibration

4. Generalization

The correct answer is: Assimilation

The cognitive process that involves fitting new information into existing cognitive frameworks is assimilation. This concept, developed by psychologist Jean Piaget, refers to the way individuals integrate new experiences and information into their pre-existing schemas or mental models without altering them. For example, when a child who knows what a dog is sees a new type of dog for the first time, they might assimilate this new information by adding it to their existing understanding of what dogs are, rather than changing their concept of "dog." This process helps individuals maintain a stable understanding of the world as they encounter new experiences. In contrast, accommodation is the process through which existing cognitive frameworks are altered to incorporate new information that does not fit into the current understanding. Equilibration refers to the balance between assimilation and accommodation, and generalization involves applying learned skills or behavior from one context to another. Thus, the choice of assimilation as the answer correctly identifies the process of fitting new information into established cognitive structures.