Which assumption does Piaget make about humans and information processing?

Jean Piaget, a prominent developmental psychologist, proposed a theory of cognitive development that emphasizes how humans acquire, construct, and process knowledge. According to Piaget, humans actively engage in the cognitive process, which involves interpreting and understanding the information they encounter before responding. This aligns with the view that individuals are not just passive recipients of information; instead, they take an active role in processing it through various cognitive structures and stages.

By asserting that humans process information before responding, Piaget highlights the importance of mental activities such as perception, reasoning, and problem-solving. This perspective laid the foundation for understanding how children and adults develop their thoughts and behaviors through experiences, interaction with the environment, and gradual mastery of complex cognitive tasks.

In contrast, the other options suggest a more passive or instinctual approach to information handling, which does not accurately reflect Piaget's theories. For instance, stating that humans only react without processing information overlooks the intricate mental mechanisms at play during cognitive development. Knowing that humans can also ignore contradictory information aligns more with biases in reasoning rather than the foundational assumptions of Piaget's cognitive framework. Lastly, asserting that humans rely solely on instinctive reactions dismisses the role of learned behavior and cognitive growth in shaping responses to their environments.