Assimilation vs. Accommodation — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 20, 2023
Assimilation is the integration of new experiences into existing concepts, while Accommodation is the modification of existing concepts in response to new experiences.
Difference Between Assimilation and Accommodation
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Assimilation is about fitting new experiences into pre-existing mental frameworks. In contrast, Accommodation involves adjusting or altering these mental frameworks to fit new experiences.
When we talk about cognitive development, Assimilation allows a person to process and internalize new information that aligns with their existing beliefs. On the other hand, Accommodation represents the cognitive flexibility to change or shift one's existing beliefs in light of new information.
Assimilation is often considered a more passive process, where an individual retains their core beliefs and integrates only compatible data. Accommodation demands a more active adjustment of one's core beliefs or schemas.
In the realm of social and cultural contexts, Assimilation might refer to the process by which individuals from one cultural group adopt the practices of a dominant culture. Whereas Accommodation could refer to the adjustments societies make to integrate diverse cultural groups.
Both Assimilation and Accommodation are critical components of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, where he emphasized the importance of these processes in understanding how children perceive and learn about the world.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Integrating new experiences into existing mental frameworks.
Modifying existing mental frameworks in response to new experiences.
Cognitive Role
Preserves existing beliefs.
Adjusts or alters existing beliefs.
Process Type
Passive.
Active.
Cultural Context
Adoption of dominant culture practices.
Societal adjustments to integrate diverse groups.
Associated Theorist
Part of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development.
Similarly associated with Jean Piaget.
Compare with Definitions
Assimilation
Cultural Conformity: When a minority group adopts the customs of the prevalent culture.
Immigrants often undergo assimilation to blend into their new communities.
Accommodation
Cognitive Adjustment: Changing existing schemas in response to new information.
When the child saw a bat, accommodation helped him differentiate between birds and other flying creatures.
Assimilation
Linguistic Adaptation: The process by which words from one language are adapted into another.
The English language displays assimilation in its absorption of words from other languages.
Accommodation
Linguistic Change: Adjustments made in speech patterns to fit communication needs.
In dialogue, accommodation might mean adjusting one's accent to be better understood.
Assimilation
Cognitive Integration: Incorporation of new experiences into existing schemas.
Through assimilation, the child believed all flying objects were birds.
Accommodation
Physical Arrangement: Providing a place to stay or reside.
The hotel provided accommodation for the night.
Assimilation
Harmonious Blending: The peaceful coexistence and fusion of different groups.
The town's assimilation of various ethnic groups created a rich tapestry of traditions.
Accommodation
Social Concession: Adjusting societal rules to cater to the needs of various members.
The company's accommodation for parents included flexible working hours.
Assimilation
The process of taking in and fully understanding information or ideas
The assimilation of the knowledge of the Greeks
Accommodation
A room, group of rooms, or building in which someone may live or stay
They were living in temporary accommodation
Assimilation
The absorption and digestion of food or nutrients by the body or any biological system
Nitrate assimilation usually takes place in leaves
Accommodation
A convenient arrangement; a settlement or compromise
The prime minister was seeking an accommodation with Labour
Assimilation
The process of becoming similar to something
Watson was ready to work for the assimilation of Scots law to English law where he thought it was justified
Accommodation
The process of adapting or adjusting to someone or something
Accommodation to a separate political entity was not possible
Assimilation
The act or process of assimilating.
Accommodation
The act of accommodating or the state of being accommodated; adjustment.
Assimilation
The state of being assimilated.
Accommodation
Something that meets a need; a convenience.
Assimilation
(Physiology) The conversion of nutriments into living tissue; constructive metabolism.
Accommodation
Room and board; lodgings.
Assimilation
(Linguistics) The process by which a sound is modified so that it becomes similar or identical to an adjacent or nearby sound. For example, the prefix in- becomes im- in impossible by assimilation to the labial p of possible.
Accommodation
A seat, compartment, or room on a public vehicle.
Assimilation
The process whereby a minority group gradually adopts the customs and attitudes of the prevailing culture.
Accommodation
Reconciliation or settlement of opposing views.
Assimilation
The act of assimilating or the state of being assimilated.
Accommodation
(Physiology) The automatic adjustment in the focal length of the lens of the eye to permit retinal focus of images of objects at varying distances.
Assimilation
The metabolic conversion of nutrients into tissue.
Accommodation
A financial favor, such as a loan.
Assimilation
(by extension) The absorption of new ideas into an existing cognitive structure.
Accommodation
Lodging in a dwelling or similar living quarters afforded to travellers in hotels or on cruise ships, or prisoners, etc.
The accommodations at that hotel were quite luxurious.
Assimilation
(phonology) A sound change process by which the phonetics of a speech segment becomes more like that of another segment in a word (or at a word boundary), so that a change of phoneme occurs.
Accommodation
(physical) Adaptation or adjustment.
Assimilation
The adoption, by a minority group, of the customs and attitudes of the dominant culture.
Accommodation
The act of fitting or adapting, or the state of being fitted or adapted; adaptation; adjustment.
Assimilation
The act or process of assimilating or bringing to a resemblance, likeness, or identity; also, the state of being so assimilated; as, the assimilation of one sound to another.
To aspire to an assimilation with God.
The assimilation of gases and vapors.
Accommodation
A convenience, a fitting, something satisfying a need.
Assimilation
The conversion of nutriment into the fluid or solid substance of the body, by the processes of digestion and absorption, whether in plants or animals.
Not conversing the body, not repairing it by assimilation, but preserving it by ventilation.
Accommodation
The adaptation or adjustment of an organism, organ, or part.
Assimilation
The state of being assimilated; people of different backgrounds come to see themselves as part of a larger national family
Accommodation
The adjustment of the eye to a change of the distance from an observed object.
Assimilation
The social process of absorbing one cultural group into harmony with another
Accommodation
(personal) Adaptation or adjustment.
Assimilation
The process of absorbing nutrients into the body after digestion
Accommodation
Willingness to accommodate; obligingness.
Assimilation
A linguistic process by which a sound becomes similar to an adjacent sound
Accommodation
Adjustment of differences; state of agreement; reconciliation; settlement; compromise.
Assimilation
The process of assimilating new ideas into an existing cognitive structure
Accommodation
(countable) The application of a writer's language, on the ground of analogy, to something not originally referred to or intended.
Assimilation
In the theories of Jean Piaget: the application of a general schema to a particular instance
Accommodation
A loan of money.
Assimilation
Biological Process: The conversion of nutrients into usable forms in the body.
Assimilation ensures that our body benefits from the food we eat.
Accommodation
An accommodation bill or note.
Accommodation
An offer of substitute goods to fulfill a contract, which will bind the purchaser if accepted.
Accommodation
(theology) An adaptation or method of interpretation which explains the special form in which the revelation is presented as unessential to its contents, or rather as often adopted by way of compromise with human ignorance or weakness.
Accommodation
The place where sediments can make, or have made, a sedimentation.
Accommodation
Modification(s) to make one's way of communicating similar to others involved in a conversation or discourse.
Accommodation
The act of fitting or adapting, or the state of being fitted or adapted; adaptation; adjustment; - followed by to.
Accommodation
Willingness to accommodate; obligingness.
Accommodation
Whatever supplies a want or affords ease, refreshment, or convenience; anything furnished which is desired or needful; - often in the plural; as, the accommodations - that is, lodgings and food - at an inn.
Accommodation
An adjustment of differences; state of agreement; reconciliation; settlement.
Accommodation
The application of a writer's language, on the ground of analogy, to something not originally referred to or intended.
Many of those quotations from the Old Testament were probably intended as nothing more than accommodations.
Accommodation
A loan of money.
Accommodation
Making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances
Accommodation
A settlement of differences;
They reached an accommodation with Japan
Accommodation
In the theories of Jean Piaget: the modification of internal representations in order to accommodate a changing knowledge of reality
Accommodation
Living quarters provided for public convenience;
Overnight accommodations are available
Accommodation
The act of providing something (lodging or seat or food) to meet a need
Accommodation
(physiology) the automatic adjustment in focal length of the lens of the eye
Accommodation
Visual Process: The eye's ability to adjust its focus.
Reading glasses aid in the accommodation of the eye.
Common Curiosities
Can Accommodation lead to Assimilation?
Yes, after accommodating new information, one may later assimilate related experiences into this revised understanding.
Which process is more flexible, Assimilation or Accommodation?
Accommodation involves more cognitive flexibility as it requires altering existing beliefs.
Are Assimilation and Accommodation limited to childhood learning?
No, both processes continue throughout life as individuals encounter new experiences.
Can societies undergo Accommodation?
Yes, societies can adjust rules and norms to cater to diverse groups.
Are Assimilation and Accommodation only related to cognitive processes?
While commonly associated with cognition, they also have linguistic, cultural, and biological connotations.
Do Assimilation and Accommodation always occur together?
While interconnected, they can occur independently, depending on the learning experience.
Can resisting Assimilation be seen as preserving one's culture?
Yes, some groups resist Assimilation to maintain their cultural identity.
Is Assimilation about conformity?
In a cultural context, it can be seen as conformity to dominant cultural norms.
In what scenarios is Accommodation more important than Assimilation?
When encountering drastically new information or experiences that don't fit existing beliefs.
Why are Assimilation and Accommodation vital in education?
They help educators understand how students integrate new knowledge and when they need to adjust their understanding.
Is Assimilation always a smooth process?
Not necessarily. Cultural or social Assimilation can come with challenges, including identity conflicts.
In what contexts are Assimilation and Accommodation most frequently discussed?
They're central in cognitive psychology, cultural studies, linguistics, and education.
How do Assimilation and Accommodation aid in problem-solving?
Assimilation helps use known strategies, while Accommodation allows for new strategies when old ones fail.
How does the eye's accommodation work?
The eye changes its lens shape to focus on objects at varying distances.
Can Assimilation lead to misconceptions?
Yes, if one repeatedly assimilates information without accommodating discrepancies, misconceptions can arise.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
