Texas PPR (Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities) Practice Test

Which stage of Piaget's theory is characterized by evidence of a return to egocentric thought and intelligence through logical and systematic manipulation of concrete objects?

1. Concrete Operational (Piaget)

2. Formal Operational (Piaget)

3. Pre-Operational (Piaget)

4. Sensorimotor (Piaget)

The correct answer is: Formal Operational (Piaget)

The correct answer reflects the stage of development where individuals demonstrate logical and systematic manipulation of concrete objects. In Piaget's theory, the Concrete Operational stage is characterized by the ability to think logically about concrete events, which includes understanding the concept of conservation and organizing objects according to multiple criteria. In this stage, children begin to think logically but still rely on concrete examples rather than abstract reasoning. They can manipulate physical objects in a systematic way, leading to more advanced problem-solving abilities compared to previous stages. However, the reference to a return to egocentric thought is particularly important; while children in the Pre-Operational stage exhibit strong egocentrism, in the Concrete Operational stage, their egocentric viewpoints start to diminish, allowing for better perspective-taking, though occasional traces of egocentric thought may appear as they navigate new logic systems. The other stages, such as the Formal Operational stage, involve abstract thinking which is more advanced and does not align with a return to egocentricity, making the Concrete Operational stage the most fitting choice in this context.