FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Which developmental stage is predominant according to Piaget, while also allowing for functioning at another stage for specific topics?

1. Concrete operations

2. Sensorimotor

3. Formal operational

4. Preoperational

The correct answer is: Concrete operations

In Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the stage of concrete operations is characterized by the ability to think logically about concrete events. This stage typically occurs between the ages of 7 and 11 years. During this period, children develop the ability to perform operations that involve tangible objects and can understand concepts of conservation, classification, and seriation. What makes this stage particularly significant is that while children are primarily functioning at the concrete operational stage, they may also display abilities from the formal operational stage for specific topics or problems, particularly those that are more abstract. This means that children can develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills when dealing with real-world situations, but they might also apply more advanced reasoning skills in areas where they have developed a deeper understanding or interest. The other stages—sensorimotor, preoperational, and formal operational—represent different types of thought processes. The sensorimotor stage primarily involves sensory experiences and motor actions, the preoperational stage is marked by symbolic thinking but limited logical reasoning, and the formal operational stage is focused on abstract thinking and hypothetical reasoning, which typically comes later in adolescence. The concrete operational stage serves as a bridge between these earlier stages and the later development of more abstract logic, hence why it is noted for