Find over 25,000 psychological definitions


sensorimotor stage

in Piagetian theory, the first major stage of cognitive development, extending from birth through 2 years of age. Evolving over several subphases of increasingly complex behavior—from basic reflex to various degrees of circular reaction to mental combination—the sensorimotor stage is characterized by the development of sensory and motor processes and by the infant’s first knowledge of the world acquired by interacting with the environment. Some rudimentary awareness of the reality of time, space, and cause and effect is present. See also concrete operational stage; formal operational stage; preoperational stage.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

December 18th 2024

sport

sport

n.

1. a physical contest between individuals or teams that is conducted under codified rules, is controlled by nonparticipants, and can have only one winner.

2. in genetics, an organism that has undergone mutation and is distinctly different from its parents.