Assimilation: GCSE Psychology Definition

What is Assimilation?

In GCSE psychology, assimilation is the process by which schemas (mental representations of the world) become more detailed and complex. One way this occurs is by fitting information from a new experience into an existing schema. We tend to make sense of new information by relating it to things we already know. For example, once a child has a schema for dogs based on the types of dogs they have seen outdoors, they are able to incorporate new breeds of dogs encountered (e.g. corgi, dachshund) into their existing dog schema. By doing this, assimilation allows a child to understand their world. 

Assimilation is impossible, though, in situations where we are presented with new information that does not fit into an existing schema. This new information may fundamentally alter our understanding of a topic to the point where we must either develop a completely new schema or make significant changes to an existing one. This process is called accommodation. 

When a child sees a cat for the first time, for instance, they may remember that while cats share many characteristics with dogs, such as fur, tail, and four legs, they also behave quite differently and make a distinct noise. It is necessary to significantly alter the current dog schema or create a new cat schema in response to this experience.

Assimilation Revision Resources to Ace Your Exams

You can use Save My Exams revision notes to revise the concepts of assimilation and accommodation to further your understanding of Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. 

Explore Our GCSE Psychology Revision Resources