Formal Operational Stage
Definition
This is the final stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development (around age 12 and beyond), where individuals start thinking abstractly and are able to reason theoretically and hypothetically.
Analogy
It’s like playing chess. Players at this stage don't just see individual moves; they can plan several steps ahead and consider different strategies - which involves abstract thinking and hypothetical reasoning.
Related terms
Hypothetical-deductive reasoning: The ability to formulate hypotheses about how something might occur and then deduce the best way to solve it or predict its outcome.
Abstract thought: Thinking about things that are not concrete or based solely on what has been experienced directly. It includes concepts such as faith, trust, belief etc.
Metacognition: Awareness and understanding of one's own thought processes - essentially thinking about thinking!
"Formal Operational Stage" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (2)
- Which psychologist proposed the cognitive developmental theory that includes the formal operational stage appearing in adolescence?
- How does Jean Piaget's "Formal Operational Stage" of cognitive development play a role in adolescent decision-making patterns?
Resources
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