The principle of assimilation in Piaget's theory refers to:

In Piaget's theory of cognitive development, assimilation is the process through which individuals integrate new information into existing cognitive schemas without altering the schemas themselves. This means that when a person encounters new experiences, they apply their pre-existing knowledge and understanding to make sense of these experiences. For example, if a child has learned about dogs as four-legged animals with fur, and then encounters a new breed of dog, they may assimilate this new information by recognizing it as a dog because it fits into their established schema of what a dog is.

By successfully assimilating new experiences into existing schemas, individuals can maintain their cognitive structure while expanding their understanding of the world around them. This is a fundamental aspect of how learning occurs, as it allows for continuous growth and development of knowledge without the need for constant restructuring of existing concepts.