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In Piaget's theory, the term "schemata" refers to the mental frameworks or structures that help individuals organize and interpret information. These schemata represent our understanding of the world and influence how we perceive new experiences. They are developed through interactions with the environment and can evolve as individuals encounter new information and experiences.

Schemata enable individuals to form expectations about how things typically function or behave, allowing them to navigate and make sense of their surroundings effectively. For example, a child may have a schema for what a dog looks like, which includes characteristics such as size, shape, and behavior. When they see a new dog, they can use this existing schema to recognize and understand this new animal.

The other options do not accurately define "schemata" as posited by Piaget. Immediate reactions to stimuli and transient emotions focus on a more instinctual or emotional response rather than structured thought processes. Physical objects that children can manipulate do not encapsulate the cognitive aspect that schemata represent, which is more about the mental organization of knowledge than the objects themselves.