FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What is the main focus of the concrete operational stage of intellectual development?

1. Symbolic thinking

2. Logical reasoning about concrete events

3. Abstract thinking

4. Metacognitive strategies

The correct answer is: Logical reasoning about concrete events

The concrete operational stage of intellectual development, which typically occurs between the ages of 7 and 11, is primarily characterized by the ability to think logically about concrete events. During this stage, children begin to grasp the concept of logical reasoning and can perform operations on tangible objects or events. They can understand the principles of conservation, classification, and seriation, allowing them to organize and manipulate their environment in a systematic way. This development marks a significant transition from the previous stage, where thinking is more egocentric and based on perceptions rather than logic. In this stage, children are able to consider multiple perspectives, understand the concept of reversibility in operations, and apply logical thought processes to problems that involve real-world situations. While symbolic thinking is an important aspect of earlier cognitive development, it is in the concrete operational stage that children start to apply logic in practical, everyday contexts, distinguishing it from the more abstract and hypothetical reasoning seen in later stages, such as formal operations.