A two-year-old child's family has a pet cat. When they visit the zoo, the child sees a lion and calls it a cat. To modify the child's misunderstanding, what process must occur according to Piaget?

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According to Piaget's theory of cognitive development, accommodation occurs when an individual modifies their existing schema (mental framework) to fit new information or experiences that do not fit within their current understanding. In this scenario, the child's existing schema for a "cat" may include their family pet, but it does not fit the characteristics of a lion. Therefore, to modify their understanding and create a new schema for a lion, the child must engage in the process of accommodation.

A Two-Year-Old Child's Family Has a Pet Cat