What is the process of interpreting new experiences in terms of existing schemas called?

The process of interpreting new experiences in terms of existing schemas is known as assimilation. In cognitive development, assimilation involves integrating new information into pre-existing frameworks or mental structures, which helps individuals make sense of the world around them.

For instance, if a child has a schema for dogs that includes the idea that they are four-legged, furry animals, and they encounter a new breed of dog they haven't seen before, they will fit this new information into their existing dog schema rather than creating an entirely new schema for it. This allows for easier understanding and helps to build on what they already know.

In contrast, accommodation refers to the modification of existing schemas or the creation of entirely new ones when new information cannot be integrated into existing schemas, which is a different process. Generalization involves applying learned information to new but similar situations rather than simply interpreting it within the confines of existing knowledge. Equilibration is a process that describes balancing assimilation and accommodation to achieve cognitive stability, but it is not specifically about interpreting new experiences. Hence, assimilation accurately captures the concept of incorporating new experiences based on existing knowledge.