CD Retake

What are schemas in Piaget's theory?

Mental frameworks or patterns of thought that help individuals understand and interpret the world.

What is assimilation in Piaget's theory?

The process of fitting new information into existing schemas.

What is accommodation in Piaget's theory?

When new experiences do not fit into existing schemas, the schema must be modified or a new one created.

What does the term 'disequilibrium' mean in Piaget’s theory?

When new information doesn’t fit into current schemas, causing confusion.

What is equilibration?

The process of restoring balance by modifying schemas through assimilation or accommodation.

What is the first stage of Piaget's stages of cognitive development?

Sensorimotor Stage (Birth – 2 years), where learning occurs through senses and motor activities.

What significant development occurs during the preoperational stage?

Development of language and symbolic thinking, but struggles with logic.

What is the key characteristic of the concrete operational stage?

Logical thinking develops with concrete, hands-on experiences.

What defines the formal operational stage of cognitive development?

The ability to think abstractly, hypothetically, and systematically.

What is sensory memory?

Briefly holds sensory input before attention selects what moves forward.

What are the three types of gene-environment correlation?

Passive, evocative, and active gene-environment correlations.

What does canalization refer to?

How genetic influences shape development in a way that is resistant to environmental changes.

What is epigenetics?

Changes in gene expression caused by environmental factors, without altering the DNA sequence.

What distinguishes continuous development from discontinuous development?

Continuous development is gradual, while discontinuous development occurs in distinct stages.

What is the nature vs. nurture debate?

The discussion about whether development is primarily influenced by genetic (nature) or environmental (nurture) factors.

In operant conditioning, what is reinforcement?

A process that increases the likelihood of a behavior occurring again.

What are the two types of reinforcement?

Positive reinforcement (adding a pleasant stimulus) and negative reinforcement (removing an unpleasant stimulus).

What is positive punishment?

Adding an unpleasant stimulus to discourage a behavior.

What is the interactionist perspective in development?

The view that both genes and environment work together in shaping development.