FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Which cognitive development stage allows the use of logical reasoning but is limited to concrete information and experiences?

1. Concrete operations

2. Formal operations

3. Preoperational

4. Sensorimotor

The correct answer is: Concrete operations

The correct answer is the stage of concrete operations, which is characterized by the ability to perform logical reasoning but only in relation to tangible, concrete objects and experiences. In this stage, which typically occurs between the ages of 7 and 11, children begin to think logically about concrete events. They are capable of understanding the concept of conservation, where they can recognize that quantity does not change despite changes in shape or appearance. During concrete operations, children's thinking becomes less egocentric as they can consider the perspectives of others. However, their logic is still tied to specific instances rather than hypothetical or abstract reasoning. This means that while they can solve practical problems involving concrete materials, they struggle with abstract concepts or reasoning about situations that are not grounded in tangible experiences. The other stages, such as formal operations, involve the ability to think abstractly and handle hypothetical situations, which goes beyond what is possible during the concrete operations stage. The preoperational stage is characterized by limited logical reasoning and egocentrism, while the sensorimotor stage focuses primarily on sensory experiences and motor activities before cognitive development begins.