The Development of Thought: Equilibration of Cognitive Structures

The development of thought through equilibration of cognitive structures describes how our understanding evolves by balancing new experiences with existing knowledge. When we encounter something unfamiliar, we either adjust our understanding (assimilation) or modify our thinking to fit the new info (accommodation). This process helps us reach a stable state, or equilibrium, where ideas are consistent. Over time, this dynamic balancing allows us to develop more complex and accurate ways of thinking. In essence, our mind constantly shifts between these processes to grow and refine our understanding of the world.