Final answer:
According to Piaget, assimilation is the process by which individuals incorporate new information into an existing schema. This occurs when new information is similar to what is already known, without altering existing schemata.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Piaget, when individuals incorporate new information into an existing schema, this process is called assimilation. Schemata are mental constructs that consist of clusters of related concepts, helping us to categorize and interpret information efficiently. When new information or experiences are similar to what we already know, we use assimilation to add this new information to our existing schemata without altering them. In contrast, when new information is different from our existing knowledge, the process of accommodation occurs, leading us to adjust our schemata to incorporate this new information.