According to Piaget, adolescents capable of formal operational thinking differ from younger children in concrete operational thinking in that younger children cannot
A) solve problems.
B) understand the concept of conservation.
C) deal with operations in concrete situations.
D) systematically and mentally test hypotheses.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Piaget argued that formal operational thinking involves the ability to systematically and mentally test hypotheses, which is a cognitive ability not present in children at the concrete operational stage. Therefore, younger children cannot systematically and mentally test hypotheses but only deal with operations in concrete situations. They may also struggle with understanding the concept of conservation, but this is not the main differentiating factor between concrete and formal operational thinking.

According to Piaget, Adolescents Capable of Formal Operational Thinking Differ