Assimilation

C O N S I D E R:

Take in

Absorb

Modify

Adapt/adjust

Incorporate

Convert

Liken to

Make like

Cause to resemble

Resemble

Bring into conformity, suitability, fit

Assimiliation & Accommodation
Piaget's Cognitivive Development/Theory of Language Development.

He believed that all children pass through a series of distinct stages in intellectual development. Today, many psychologists are convinced that Piaget gave too little credit to the effects of learning (Harris, 1986). According to learning theorists, children continuously gain specific knowledge; they do not undergo stagelike increases in general mental ability (Carey, 1986). Numerous studies do show that children make swift mental gains at about the ages Piaget stated. In fact, researchers have recently found evidence that cycles of brain growth occur at times that correspond with Piaget's stages (Thatcher et al., 1987). Thus, the truth may lie somewhere between Piaget's stage theory and modern learning theory.

A. Intellect grows through two processes:

l. Assimilation - using existing patterns in new situations. (Using a new wrench like the old hammer--assimilated to existing mental structure.)

2. Accommodation - Occurs when existing ideas are modified to fit new requirements. (Child begins to spend money and is forced to alter ideas about what "more' and "less" mean--a dime isn't worth less than a nickel.)

Thus: New situations are assimilated to existing ideas, and new ideas are created to accommodate new experiences.

[Coon, Dennis. Introduction to Psychology, Exploration and Application. St. Paul: West Publishing Company, 1989.]

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