FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

Which of the following stages is characterized by the development of logic and operational thinking?

1. Sensorimotor Stage

2. Concrete Operational Stage

3. Preoperational Stage

4. Formal Operational Stage

The correct answer is: Concrete Operational Stage

The Concrete Operational Stage is the correct choice because it is during this developmental phase, which occurs roughly between ages 7 and 11, that children start to think logically about concrete events. They begin to understand the concepts of conservation, coordination of multiple characteristics, and the ability to classify objects based on different criteria. This stage signifies a significant advancement in cognitive capabilities, allowing children to perform operations on tangible objects and understand the concept of reversibility in their thought processes. This contrasts with other stages such as the Sensorimotor Stage, where understanding is primarily through sensory experiences and actions with the environment, and the Preoperational Stage, where cognitive development is marked by egocentrism and limited ability to perform operations mentally. The Formal Operational Stage, which follows, is characterized by the ability to think abstractly and hypothetically, going beyond concrete objects and situations. Understanding these distinctions highlights why the Concrete Operational Stage is identified with the development of logic and operational thinking.