Beginning around the age of 11, children can think in logical, abstract terms. Which stage of Piaget's theory does this represent?

The stage of Piaget's theory that corresponds to children beginning to think in logical and abstract terms around the age of 11 is the formal operational stage. During this stage, which typically begins around age 12 and extends into adulthood, individuals develop the ability to think abstractly and reason logically. They can engage in hypothetical and deductive reasoning, allowing them to solve complex problems and understand abstract concepts that are not directly tied to concrete experiences. This cognitive maturation enables them to formulate, test, and systematically consider possibilities, which marks a significant advancement from earlier stages.

In contrast, the concrete operational stage, which occurs roughly from age 7 to 11, involves logical thinking but is primarily limited to concrete, tangible concepts rather than abstract thinking. The preoperational stage, typically from ages 2 to 7, is characterized by symbolic thinking but lacks the logical thinking present in later stages. Finally, the sensorimotor stage, which spans from birth to about age 2, involves learning through physical interaction with the environment and does not yet include abstract or logical thought processes.