Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Practice Examination

What is a schema, according to Piaget's theory?

1. A method of assessment

2. A mental structure for processing information

3. A type of cognitive bias

4. A form of behavioral conditioning

The correct answer is: A mental structure for processing information

In Piaget's theory, a schema refers to a mental structure that helps individuals organize and interpret information. Schemas are frameworks that allow people to make sense of the world by categorizing experiences and influencing how data is understood and reacted to. As individuals encounter new experiences, they either adapt their existing schemas or create new ones, a process known as assimilation and accommodation. This cognitive development is fundamental in guiding learning and intelligence, as it shapes how individuals perceive their environment and respond to challenges. Other options do not align with the concept of a schema as defined by Piaget. A method of assessment pertains more to evaluation tools rather than cognitive frameworks. Cognitive bias relates to systematic patterns of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment, which is a specific aspect of cognition rather than a broader structure like a schema. Behavioral conditioning focuses on how behaviors are learned through associations and reinforcements, which operates on a different principle than cognitive structures like schemas.