Four-year-old Jinni thinks that when she flattens out a ball of clay there is more than there was before because the clay is wider on the table.This is an example of:
A) centering.
B) egocentrism.
C) seriation.
D) syncretism.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Jinni's focus on one aspect of the situation (the width of the clay) to the exclusion of other relevant aspects (such as the conservation of mass) is an example of centering. This is a common cognitive limitation in young children, where they focus on one salient feature of an object or situation, ignoring other important aspects.

Four-Year-Old Jinni Thinks That When She Flattens Out a Ball