What is an example of accommodation in cognitive development?

Accommodation in cognitive development refers to the process by which individuals adjust their existing mental frameworks or schemas in response to new information that cannot be assimilated into their current understanding.

In the context of the given question, learning that not all flowers are roses illustrates this concept well. When a child initially thinks all flowers might be roses, encountering a flower that is not a rose requires them to adapt their understanding of what constitutes a flower. This adjustment in their mental structures to include the idea that there are various types of flowers, not just roses, is a clear example of accommodation.

The other options denote different cognitive processes. For instance, calling all four-legged animals 'dogs' is an example of assimilation, where existing schemas are used to categorize new information but without adjustment to those schemas. Believing that both fruits and vegetables are healthy could reflect a generalized understanding without the need to modify mental frameworks. Realizing that pets can be different types of animals might involve some level of classification as well, but it lacks the explicit need to change existing schemas in the way that learning about the diversity of flowers does. Thus, the option about flowers most accurately showcases the essence of accommodation.