tertiary circular reaction

in Piagetian theory, an infant’s action that creatively alters former schemes to fit the requirements of new situations. Tertiary circular reactions emerge toward the end of the sensorimotor stage, at about the beginning of the 2nd year; they differ from earlier behaviors in that the child can, for the first time, develop new schemes to achieve a desired goal. Also called discovery of new means through active experimentation. See also primary circular reaction; secondary circular reaction.

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Psychology term of the day

September 8th 2024

reproducibility

n. the extent to which a study produces the same findings when it is conducted by a different independent researcher. A given research finding is thought to be stronger when it can be both repeated and reproduced. See repeatability; replication.