Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Practice

Which concept involves the creation of new schemata to understand both existing and new information?

1. Social model of disability

2. Integration

3. Accommodation

4. Assimilation

The correct answer is: Accommodation

The concept that involves the creation of new schemata to understand both existing and new information is accommodation. This term is often associated with cognitive development and is derived from the theory proposed by psychologist Jean Piaget. When individuals encounter new information that does not fit into their existing cognitive structures or schemas, accommodation requires them to modify or create new schemas to integrate this information effectively. For example, if a child learns about a new type of animal that does not match their current understanding of animals, they must adjust their mental framework to include this new information. This process underscores the dynamic nature of learning, where existing knowledge is not simply added to but is transformed to accommodate the new insights. In contrast, assimilation involves integrating new information into existing schemas without changing them, which does not capture the essence of creating new understanding as accommodation does. The social model of disability primarily focuses on societal barriers and their impact on individuals with disabilities, while integration refers to the inclusion of individuals into general environments rather than cognitive processing.