Assimilation in Psychology
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
This article defines assimilation in psychology as the process of identifying new mental impressions with existing past experiences. It explains that because sensory perceptions are often fragmented, the mind must supplement them with related elements from previous mental representations to recognize and assimilate them.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
ASSIMILATION IN PSYCHOLOGY, the identification of two mental phenomena, most often new impressions, with data from previous experience. Our sensations are usually fragmented and incomplete, and for the purpose of recognition and assimilation, it is necessary to supplement them with related elements from the store of previously formed representations.
Related articles
Cite this page
“Assimilation in Psychology.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/assimilation-in-psychology/