Which cognitive process involves changing schemas in response to new information?

The cognitive process that involves changing schemas in response to new information is referred to as accommodation. This process occurs when an individual encounters information that does not fit with their existing understanding or schema. In such cases, the individual modifies their schema to incorporate this new information, thus allowing for a more accurate understanding of their experiences and the world around them.

For instance, if a child who has a schema for dogs (perhaps only big dogs) encounters a small dog for the first time, they may need to change their existing schema to include this new instance of a dog. This demonstrates how accommodation facilitates learning and cognitive growth through the adaptation of prior knowledge to newly acquired information.

In contrast, assimilation is the process of integrating new information into existing schemas without changing them. The availability heuristic involves making judgments based on easily recalled memories, which is unrelated to schema modification. Automatic processing refers to mental activities that occur with little conscious effort, not specifically linked to the active adjustment of schemas. Thus, accommodation is the correct answer, as it specifically denotes the adjustment and refinement of cognitive schemas in light of new experiences.