horizontal décalage

in Piagetian theory, the invariant order in which accomplishments occur within a particular stage of development. For example, an understanding of conservation of quantity is always achieved before understanding conservation of weight, which is achieved before understanding conservation of volume. Compare vertical décalage.

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Psychology term of the day

November 18th 2024

paradigm clash

in science or philosophy, the conflict that occurs when a new set of fundamental assumptions about reality or human knowledge proves incompatible with an established set of such assumptions. For example, the doctrine of organic evolution challenged established thinking about the origin and nature of the living world and ultimately replaced previous theories.