What is the term for the cognitive development stage where individuals begin to think logically about abstract concepts?

The term for the cognitive development stage where individuals begin to think logically about abstract concepts is the formal operational stage. At this stage, which typically emerges around age 12 and continues into adulthood, individuals develop the ability to think systematically and consider hypothetical situations. This includes advanced reasoning skills and the capacity to understand abstract relationships, manipulate ideas in their mind, and engage in deductive reasoning.

In contrast to the formal operational stage, the other stages focus on more concrete and tangible thought processes. The concrete operational stage, for instance, involves logical reasoning but is limited to concrete objects and situations rather than abstract concepts. The preoperational stage is characterized by symbolic thinking, egocentrism, and difficulty understanding others' viewpoints. The sensorimotor stage, which occurs in infancy, involves learning through sensory experiences and motor activities without yet developing logical thinking about abstract ideas. Thus, the formal operational stage stands out as the phase where abstract logical reasoning truly begins to flourish.