Conservation - GCSE Psychology Definition

In GCSE Psychology, conservation refers to a cognitive development concept introduced by Jean Piaget, which describes a child's ability to understand that certain properties of objects, like volume, mass, or number, remain constant even when their outward appearance changes. This principle typically develops during the concrete operational stage, which occurs between the ages of 7 and 11. For example, when shown two identical glasses of water and then pouring the contents of one glass into a taller, narrower glass, a child who has grasped the concept of conservation will recognise that the amount of water remains the same, despite the different appearance. This ability marks a key milestone in a child's cognitive growth, as it indicates an evolving understanding of logic and the physical properties of the world.