Which stage of cognitive development includes the ability to think logically about abstract concepts?

The formal operational stage is characterized by the ability to think logically about abstract concepts. This stage, which typically begins around age 12 and continues into adulthood, allows individuals to reason about hypothetical situations, think scientifically, and systematically plan for the future. In this stage, adolescents develop the capability to use deductive reasoning, which means they can apply general principles to specific instances, enabling them to engage in more advanced problem-solving. The ability to grasp abstract ideas, such as justice or love, and to understand complex relationships between different concepts is also a hallmark of this stage.

Other stages, such as the sensorimotor, concrete operational, and preoperational stages, focus on different aspects of cognitive development. For example, the sensorimotor stage involves learning through sensory experiences and physical actions, while the concrete operational stage is marked by the ability to think logically about concrete objects and events rather than abstract concepts. The preoperational stage is known for symbolic thinking and egocentrism but lacks the logical reasoning about abstract ideas that emerges in the formal operational stage. Therefore, the formal operational stage is the correct answer as it directly addresses the ability to think logically about abstract concepts.