Formal Operational Thought Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Formal Operational Thought?

Formal operational thought is the fourth and final developmental stage of cognitive functioning, according to Jean Piaget’s theory on human development. This stage occurs around age 11 or 12 and represents a major shift in the way children think. In this stage, individuals become capable of abstract thinking they can reason logically about hypothetical situations, use deductive reasoning to solve problems, and understand principles such as conservation. During formal operational thought, individuals begin to view the world from multiple perspectives. They are able to consider different points of view when constructing an argument or problem-solving strategy. They also develop their own opinions based on evidence and logic rather than relying solely on what others tell them. In addition, they learn to think symbolically, which allows them to manipulate ideas in their mind without having physical objects present. In terms of language skills, adolescents at this stage become more proficient at using figurative language (e.g., irony), metaphors and other forms of expression that rely heavily on abstract concepts like emotion or symbolism for meaning. The ability to draw meaningful conclusions from observation increases significantly during this period; adolescents are better able to interpret data correctly and make inferences from it more easily than ever before in their lives thus far. At this point in their development cycle young people experience many positive changes that enable them to cope with life’s complexities better than ever before: greater social awareness, improved problem solving abilities & communication skills all come together during adolescence as a result of formal operational thought processes being developed inside our minds.