According to Piaget, which type of operational thought is characterized by abstract thinking and is developed between 11 and 15 years of age?

Piaget identified the stage of formal operational thought as the period where individuals begin to think abstractly and hypothetically. This stage typically emerges between the ages of 11 and 15 and marks a significant shift from earlier stages of cognitive development. During formal operations, adolescents can engage in reasoning that goes beyond concrete experiences, allowing them to consider possibilities, formulate hypotheses, and systematically test their ideas.

In this stage, individuals can think about abstract concepts such as justice, freedom, and love, and can also understand complex mathematical and scientific principles. Unlike the concrete operational stage, which focuses on tangible objects and direct experiences, formal operational thought allows for the manipulation of ideas in the mind without the need for concrete representations. This capability is crucial for tasks that require deducing relationships or solving complex problems, ultimately leading to more advanced reasoning and critical thinking skills.

The other options represent earlier stages of cognitive development. Concrete operational thought, occurring from ages 7 to 11, is characterized by logical thinking about concrete objects but does not allow for the abstraction seen in formal operations. Preoperational thought is typically seen in children aged 2 to 7, where symbolic thinking is limited and egocentrism is prominent. Sensorimotor thought, which occurs from birth