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Correct Answer: formal operational stage of development that begins around age eleven and continues until adulthood.
jean piaget, a swiss psychologist, formulated a highly influential theory of cognitive development in children, which posits that children progress through four distinct stages as they grow and develop intellectually. each stage represents a different level of cognitive sophistication and understanding. the correct sequence and descriptions of these stages are crucial for understanding piaget’s theory accurately.
the **sensorimotor stage** is the first of piaget’s stages, beginning at birth and continuing until approximately two years of age. during this period, infants learn about the world primarily through their sensory experiences and manipulating objects. a key development in this stage is the concept of object permanence—understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched.
next is the **pre-operational stage**, which spans from about two years old to seven years old. in this stage, children start to engage in symbolic play and learn to manipulate symbols, but they do not yet understand concrete logic. egocentrism is a characteristic of this stage, where children see the world only from their own perspective. the incapacity to perform operations (reversible mental processes) is another notable limitation during this stage.
the **concrete operational stage** follows, occurring between the ages of seven and eleven. during this stage, children gain a better understanding of mental operations and start thinking logically about concrete events. they begin to grasp the concept of conservation—the understanding that quantity does not change even when its shape does. however, their thinking is still very concrete and tied to specific tangible events and objects; they struggle with abstract concepts.
finally, the **formal operational stage** begins around age eleven and continues into adulthood. this stage marks the emergence of abstract reasoning, where individuals can think logically about abstract propositions and test hypotheses systematically. they no longer require concrete objects to make rational judgments and can contemplate possible outcomes or hypothetical scenarios.
the correct description and sequence of piaget’s stages of cognitive development are crucial for educators and psychologists as they provide a framework for understanding the intellectual growth and capabilities of children at different ages. the understanding of these stages aids in creating appropriate learning strategies and interactions that suit the cognitive abilities of children as they progress through these stages.
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