US High School Psychology Practice Exam

Which stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development is characterized by the ability to think logically about concrete events?

1. Sensorimotor stage

2. Preoperational stage

3. Concrete operational stage

4. Formal operational stage

The correct answer is: Concrete operational stage

The Concrete Operational Stage is the third stage in Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, typically occurring between the ages of 7 and 11. During this stage, children gain a better understanding of mental operations and can think logically about concrete events. This ability enables them to classify objects, understand the concept of conservation (the understanding that quantity doesn’t change even when its shape does), and organize objects into hierarchies. They also begin to develop the capacity for logical reasoning, but this is primarily related to tangible, concrete facts rather than abstract concepts. In contrast, the Sensorimotor Stage, which occurs from birth to about age 2, involves learning through sensory experiences and motor actions, but does not yet include logical thinking about events. The Preoperational Stage, from ages 2 to 7, is characterized by the development of language and symbolic thinking, but children in this phase often struggle with logic and understanding the viewpoint of others. Lastly, the Formal Operational Stage, starting around age 12, introduces the ability to think abstractly and hypothetically, which is beyond the logical reasoning applied to concrete situations seen in the Concrete Operational Stage. Thus, the logical reasoning about concrete events is distinctly indicative of the Concrete Operational Stage.