Assimilation
Through assimilation, we take in new information or experiences and incorporate them into our existing ideas. The process is somewhat subjective, because we tend to modify experience or information somewhat to fit in with our preexisting beliefs.
Piaget believed that there are two basic ways that we can adapt to new experiences and information. Assimilation is the easiest method because it does not require a great deal of adjustment. Through this process, we add new information to our existing knowledge base, sometimes reinterpreting these new experiences so that they will fit in with previously existing information.
Piaget believed that there are two basic ways that we can adapt to new experiences and information. Assimilation is the easiest method because it does not require a great deal of adjustment. Through this process, we add new information to our existing knowledge base, sometimes reinterpreting these new experiences so that they will fit in with previously existing information.
Consider the following video with Ernst von Glasersfeld and his consideration of Piaget's concepts:
von Glasersfeld points out what he sees as simply the assimilation of Piaget's ideas into the minds of American psychologists. He indicates that Piaget has essentially been discarded as wrong due to the leaders in cognitive psychology having left out the 'result of the action' and merely focused on the stimulus and the action. The result of the action is what allows us to understand if we need to accommodate in order to make the situation beneficial. This is what brings about equilibration. Without it, we easily choose to ignore those pieces of information that don't fit our current schemata.
What are do you think about von Glaserfeld's view point? Has Piaget's view on Assimilation and Accommodation been misunderstood? Please add your thoughts to the Discuss the Assimilation forum below.
What are do you think about von Glaserfeld's view point? Has Piaget's view on Assimilation and Accommodation been misunderstood? Please add your thoughts to the Discuss the Assimilation forum below.