What are schemas in the context of cognitive development?

Schemas are best described as mental representations or frameworks of the world. They serve as cognitive structures that help individuals organize and interpret information based on their experiences. In cognitive development, schemas allow a person to categorize new experiences and assimilate them into existing knowledge or to accommodate and modify their understanding when encountering new information that does not fit established schemas.

For example, a child may have a schema for a 'dog' that includes features such as having four legs, barking, and being furry. When the child encounters a new type of dog, they can assimilate this new information into their existing schema. However, if they see an animal that resembles a dog but has distinct differences, they may accommodate their schema to incorporate this new insight.

This concept is central to theories of cognitive development, particularly those proposed by Jean Piaget, who emphasized the active role of the learner in constructing their understanding of the world through the interaction between existing schemas and new experiences. Hence, the characterization of schemas as mental representations aligns closely with their key role in cognitive processing and development.