As a first-grade teacher reads a book about penguins in Antarctica, she points to Antarctica on a globe. Six-year-old John seems really puzzled. "How come they don't fall off the earth?" he asks. From Piaget's perspective, John can best be described as:
A) Experiencing disequilibrium
B) Having difficulty with conservation
C) Having difficulty with class inclusion
D) Accommodating when he should be assimilating

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

John's question suggests that he is experiencing disequilibrium, which is when one's existing cognitive structures do not fit with new information, leading to confusion and a need to modify or create new cognitive structures. In this case, John's understanding of gravity and how things stay on the Earth is being challenged by the idea of penguins living on Antarctica.

As a First-Grade Teacher Reads a Book About Penguins in Antarctica