Which stage of Piaget's cognitive development is focused on the ability to think abstractly?

The stage of Piaget's cognitive development that emphasizes the ability to think abstractly is the formal operations stage. This stage typically begins around age 12 and continues into adulthood. During this period, individuals develop the capacity for logical reasoning and can engage in abstract thinking, which allows them to consider hypothetical situations, manipulate ideas in their minds without relying on concrete objects, and conduct systematic problem-solving.

In contrast, the other stages do not emphasize abstract thinking. The concrete operational stage, for instance, focuses on logical thinking about concrete objects and events but does not yet involve the ability to think abstractly. The sensorimotor stage is primarily characterized by learning through sensory experiences and motor activities, while the preoperational stage is marked by egocentric thinking and a limited ability to see things from perspectives other than one’s own. Thus, the formal operations stage is distinct in its focus on higher-order cognitive processes, critical for advanced reasoning and theoretical thinking.