FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What term describes the awareness that actions can be reversed and thus accommodate new information in Piaget's theory?

1. Equilibration

2. Conservation

3. Reversibility

4. Retrospection

The correct answer is: Reversibility

The correct term that describes the awareness that actions can be reversed and thus accommodate new information in Piaget's theory is known as "reversibility." This concept is a key component of Piaget's cognitive development theory, particularly during the concrete operational stage, which typically occurs between the ages of 7 and 11. Reversibility refers to the ability to mentally reverse an action or a process. For example, a child understands that if they pour water from a tall, narrow glass into a wide, flat one, they can recognize that the amount of water remains the same and can visualize returning the water to its original container. This understanding shows cognitive development, as the child can manipulate their mental representations of actions and understand that they can undo them, leading to a greater comprehension of the conservation of quantity. In contrast, equilibration involves the balance between assimilation and accommodation in cognitive development, while conservation relates to understanding that certain properties remain constant despite changes in form or appearance. Retrospection refers more to looking back on past experiences rather than cognitive processes related to reversibility.