What are schemas in Piaget's theory?

Schemas in Piaget's theory refer to the mental structures that help individuals organize and interpret information, thus serving as the building blocks of knowledge. They are frameworks that allow individuals to categorize experiences and understand the world around them. As children interact with their environment, they develop and refine these schemas through processes such as assimilation and accommodation. For example, a child may have a schema for "dog," which includes their family pet's characteristics, and as they encounter different breeds, they adjust their schema to incorporate new information about what a "dog" can be.

The concept of schemas is foundational to Piaget's theory because it underpins how children learn and adapt to new experiences. Each new experience can either fit into an existing schema or prompt the creation of a new one, thereby expanding their understanding of the world. In summary, schemas are central to cognitive development as they help in structuring knowledge and guiding learning processes.