Why does Piaget use the term “concrete” to describe the quality of thinking that is characteristic of middle childhood?

Question

a. The term reflects Piaget’s concerns about the intellectual rigidity and vulnerability of middle childhood.
b. The term indicates that children can only reason about inanimate objects at this stage.
c. The term highlights the focus on real objects rather than hypothetical situations and relationships.
d. The term reflects the directness and transparency of young people at this age.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

c. The term highlights the focus on real objects rather than hypothetical situations and relationships.

Piaget used the term "concrete" to describe the concrete operational stage of cognitive development, which typically occurs from ages 7 to 11. During this stage, children begin to think logically about concrete events and objects but may struggle with abstract or hypothetical concepts.