In Piaget's theory, which stage is characterized by logical and concrete reasoning?

In Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the Concrete Operational stage is distinctively characterized by the ability to think logically about concrete events and manipulate objects mentally. This stage typically occurs between the ages of 7 and 11 years. During this period, children develop skills such as conservation, classification, and ordering, which allows them to perform operations on concrete objects and understand the concepts of time, space, and quantity more effectively.

Children in the Concrete Operational stage are able to think logically about tangible, physical realities, allowing them to solve problems in a more organized and systematic manner compared to earlier stages. They can understand that certain properties of objects remain constant even when their forms change (for example, recognizing that the amount of liquid remains the same in different-shaped containers). This ability to reason logically about concrete situations is foundational for their continued cognitive development.

In contrast, the other stages showcase different forms of thinking. For instance, the Sensorimotor stage focuses on sensory experiences and motor actions, the Preoperational stage is marked by symbolic thinking and egocentrism, and the Formal Operational stage involves abstract and hypothetical reasoning. Each stage builds on the capabilities established in the previous ones, leading to the clear distinction seen in the Concrete Operational stage regarding logical reasoning with