Final answer:
In Piaget's cognitive development theory, internal representations of reality are called schemata, which are mental models that help categorize and interpret information, and modify through assimilation and accommodation.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, internal representations of reality are called schemata. Schemata represent the mental models or concepts that help individuals categorize and interpret information. Beginning in early childhood, children form schemata to make sense of the world around them, which evolve over time through the processes of assimilation and accommodation. As they encounter new information or experiences, they integrate them into existing schemata through assimilation, or they adjust their schemata to incorporate new knowledge through accommodation. This cognitive development continues as children interact with their environment, increasingly refining their internal representations of reality.