Trenton was playing in a sandbox. He was pouring sand from a short and wide container into a tall and narrow container. When he poured the sand into the tall and narrow container, it appeared as if it had more sand in it. Trenton could not figure out where the extra sand came from and how it got into his container. As Trenton continued to try to solve this puzzle, he experienced considerable movement between states of cognitive ________ and ________ to produce cognitive change.
A) equilibrium; disequilibrium
B) adaptation; organization
C) classification; modification
D) equilibration; categorization

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Trenton's experience of confusion and trying to solve a puzzle suggests that he was in a state of cognitive disequilibrium. However, as he continued to think and engage with the problem, he likely reached a state of cognitive equilibrium with a modified understanding of the situation. This process of shifting between states of equilibrium and disequilibrium to produce cognitive change is a key component of Piaget's theory of cognitive development, which is captured by option A. Options B and C do not accurately reflect the process Trenton is experiencing, and option D is not a recognized term in Piaget's theory.

Trenton Was Playing in a Sandbox