The process of fitting new information into existing mental structures is called?

• A. Assimilation
• B. Accommodation
• C. Adaptation
• D. Integration

Answer: (A)

Assimilation is when new information is interpreted through existing mental structures, fitting what you encounter into what you already know. In practice, a child who has a schema for a “dog” will categorize a new four-legged animal as a dog because it matches that familiar idea, without changing the underlying concept. This is different from accommodation, where the schema itself is adjusted to incorporate the new information—for example, recognizing that not all four-legged animals are dogs and creating a separate category for cats. Adaptation refers to the overall process of adjusting to new information, which includes both assimilation and accommodation. Integration isn’t the term used in this context.