Piaget Schema Theory

• Schema

  • contain our understanding of an object, person or idea
  • become increasingly complex during development as we acquire more information about each object
• Assimilation

  when we integrate new information into an existing schema or apply schema to a situation
• Accommodation

  when existing schema are adapted or new schema are created because incoming information conflicts with what is already known
• Disequilibrium

  a state of cognitive discomfort that created the motivation to learn
• Equilibrium


  the state of balance
• Equillibriation

  learning in order to create a state of cognitive harmony that reflects a balance between incoming information and what is already known
• Research support for constructivism

  Howe et al (1992)

  • one strength of Piaget's theory is that there is research support
  • children discussed events but formed different ideas about it
  • shows that children learn by forming their own personal representations
• Applications to education

  • ideas about children being active in their learning have been applied in the education system through discovery learning
  • children actively solve problems and form their own representations of the curriculum
  • his views have revolutionised teaching in the UK