Answer: a schema
Step-by-step explanation:
The term schema was first introduced in 1923 by developmental psychologist Jean Piaget. Piaget proposed a stage theory of cognitive development that utilized schemas as one of its key components. Piaget defined schemas as basic units of knowledge that related to all aspects of the world.
A schema is a cognitive structure that serves as a framework for one’s knowledge about people, places, objects, and events. Schemas help people organize their knowledge of the world and understand new information. While these mental shortcuts are useful in helping us make sense of the large amount of information we encounter daily, they can also narrow our thinking and result in stereotypes.
For example, when a child is young, they may develop a schema for a dog. They know a dog walks on four legs, is hairy, and has a tail. When the child goes to the zoo for the first time and sees a lion, they may initially think the lion is a dog as well. From the child’s point of view, the lion fits their schema for a dog.
Various types of schemas exist. These include object schemas, person schemas (behavior, appearance, preferences, personality), social schemas ( be respectful, don’t eat garlic before a date, pay for your dates movie tickets), self schemas( for example future doctor, smart, hates vegetables) roles schemas, event schemas (professionalism, business suit, portfolio, handshake) etc.