Which term describes the mental structures used to organize knowledge?

The term that best describes the mental structures used to organize knowledge is cognitive schemata. Cognitive schemata (often referred to simply as "schemata") are frameworks that help individuals to categorize and interpret information based on their previous experiences and understanding. They enable people to process complex information efficiently by providing a structured way to understand the world around them, allowing for quicker retrieval and application of knowledge.

These schemata can evolve and become more sophisticated as an individual gathers new experiences and information, thus helping to form a more coherent understanding of various concepts and relationships. This cognitive organization plays a crucial role in how we make sense of our surroundings and interact with new information.

Concepts represent the basic building blocks of thought, but they are more focused on individual ideas rather than the larger frameworks that organize those ideas. Beliefs refer to a personal conviction or acceptance that something is true, which is distinct from the structural organization of knowledge. Social norms are the unwritten rules about how to behave in society, which do not directly relate to the mental structures used for organizing knowledge.