In psychology and cognitive science, a schema (or schemata) is a pattern of thought or behavior that organizes categories of information and the relationships among them). Schemata can help in understanding the world and the rapidly changing environment, and people use schemata to organize current knowledge and provide a framework for future understanding). Examples of schemata include mental models, social schemas, stereotypes, social roles, scripts, worldviews, heuristics, and archetypes). In Piagets theory of development, children construct a series of schemata, based on the interactions they experience, to help them understand the world). Schemata have a tendency to remain unchanged, even in the face of contradictory information, and they can help people quickly organize new perceptions into schemata since automatic thought is all that is required). Schemata are not just frameworks to be called upon, but are active processes for solving problems and interacting with the world).

It is important to note that the term "schema" can also refer to a plan, diagram, or scheme, or a rule or principle that enables the understanding to apply its categories and unify experience, as in the philosophy of Kant. However, in the context of psychology and cognitive science, the term "schema" refers to the pattern of thought or behavior that organizes categories of information and the relationships among them).

Schema theory suggests that when people encounter new information, they try to fit it into pre-existing schemata. Therefore, it is important to ensure that students existing schemata are up and running at a conscious level to help them learn new information.