What term does Jean Piaget use to describe the process of taking in new information and processing it?

Jean Piaget used the term "assimilation" to describe the process through which individuals incorporate new information into their existing cognitive frameworks. This occurs when a person encounters new experiences and understands them based on what they already know. For example, if a toddler encounters a new type of dog but already recognizes dogs in general, they will fit this new example into their existing understanding of dogs, rather than changing their perception.

Assimilation reflects Piaget's belief in the active role of the learner in constructing knowledge, where new experiences are linked to existing schemas rather than altering them. This concept is integral to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, as it emphasizes the importance of cognitive structures in understanding and navigating the world.

In contrast, the other terms relate to varying aspects of cognitive processing as well. Accommodation involves adjusting existing schemas to incorporate new information that cannot be assimilated, while adaptation is the overarching process that includes both assimilation and accommodation. Comparison is less relevant to Piaget's concepts, as it refers more to evaluating similarities and differences rather than the processing of new information within one’s cognitive development framework.