Conceptual change is, strictly, any change in someone conceptualisations, but the research focus is often on shifts from alternative to more canonical conceptualisations: "conceptual change refers to any change in a person's conceptual understanding…this would include shifts from alternative to canonical ways of thinking, but also (in principle) changes in the opposite sense. It also encompasses shifts in the range of application of a concept (that is, the 'same' concept is actually modified when its range of application changes), or progression in the sophistication of understanding of a concept, or changes that involve the differentiation or integration of concepts, or the acquisition of new facets to a concept." (Taber, 2019, p.455)
Synonyms:
conceptual shift
