During which stage of development can a child think abstractly according to Piaget's theory?

Piaget's theory of cognitive development outlines distinct stages through which children progress as they grow and learn. The stage in which a child is able to think abstractly is known as the formal operations stage. This stage typically begins around the age of 11 and continues into adulthood.

During the formal operations stage, individuals develop the ability to think logically about abstract concepts, reason systematically, and consider hypothetical situations. This shift allows them to tackle complex problems that involve logical operations with abstract variables, rather than just concrete and tangible objects. For example, a child in this stage can understand the concept of justice not just through specific examples but can think about it in general terms across various scenarios.

In contrast, the other stages, such as preoperational, concrete operations, and sensorimotor, focus on more concrete, tangible interactions with their environment and do not provide the same capacity for abstract thought. Thus, it is during the formal operations stage that children truly begin to engage in abstract reasoning, allowing for advanced problem-solving and critical thinking skills.