Which of the following statements accurately describes a concrete operational thinker according to Piaget's theory of cognitive development?

• A. They struggle to understand the perspectives of others and are highly egocentric.
• B. They can think abstractly and reason about hypothetical situations.
• C. They are able to perform logical operations on physical objects and understand the concept of conservation.
• D. They rely solely on sensory and motor experiences to understand the world.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Recall Piaget's stages of cognitive development, focusing on the concrete operational stage, which typically occurs between ages 7 and 11.
2. Understand that during the concrete operational stage, children develop the ability to perform logical operations, but these operations are limited to concrete, physical objects and events.
3. Recognize that concrete operational thinkers can understand concepts such as conservation, classification, and seriation, which involve logical thinking about tangible objects.
4. Note that abstract thinking and reasoning about hypothetical situations are characteristics of the formal operational stage, which follows the concrete operational stage.
5. Identify that egocentrism is primarily a feature of the preoperational stage, and reliance solely on sensory and motor experiences is characteristic of the sensorimotor stage.