formal operational stage 11+ years

what age is the formal operational stage from

11+ years

in this stage of Piaget’s cognitive development theory, children are capable of more

abstract thinking

children reflect internally and can use

hypothetical reasoning

abstract thinking - the pendulum test

* making hypothesis
* if i do this what will happen
* does it
* if i do this then this may happen
* either does it or doesn’t do it

limitation

failure to consider cultural / educational background

**sample:** aboriginal children from remote communities and those with exposure to white culture

**findings**: white children and aboriginal children demonstrated similar cognitive abilities at similar ages but only if they had similar educational experiences as provided through exposure to white culture

cross cultural evaluations on cognitive development using the Piagetian tradition has ceased as it has been established that formal school plays a large role in development of thinking required to complete the tasks

non-schoolers in other cultures may not develop formal operational hypothetical deductive reasoning