notes

Schema

A mental framework for organizing and interpreting information.

Assimilation

The process of incorporating new information into existing schemas.

Accommodation

The process of changing existing schemas to fit new information.

Object Permanence

The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen.

Egocentrism

The inability to see a situation from another person's point of view.

Conservation

Understanding that quantity remains the same despite changes in shape or appearance.

Reversibility

The understanding that objects can be changed and then returned to their original form.

Animism

The belief that inanimate objects have feelings and intentions.

Theory of Mind

The ability to understand that others have thoughts, beliefs, and feelings different from one's own.

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

The range of tasks that a learner can perform with assistance but not independently.

Scaffolding

Support provided to a learner that is gradually removed as they become more proficient.

Crystallized Intelligence

The accumulated knowledge and verbal skills that remain stable or can improve with age.

Fluid Intelligence

The ability to reason and solve novel problems independently of previously acquired knowledge.

Dementia

A decline in cognitive function that interferes with daily life, often seen in older adults.

Alzheimer’s Disease

A progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes memory loss and cognitive decline.