A child in the formal operational stage is most likely to:

• A. Have difficulty with mental reversal and conservation.
• B. Successfully think about hypothetical situations.
• C. Struggle with object permanence.
• D. Rely on thinking about concrete objects and events.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the formal operational stage: This is the fourth and final stage in Piaget's theory of cognitive development, typically beginning around age 11 and continuing into adulthood.
2. Recognize the characteristics of the formal operational stage: Individuals in this stage develop the ability to think abstractly, logically, and systematically.
3. Identify the key abilities: During this stage, children can handle hypothetical-deductive reasoning, which means they can think about hypothetical situations and use logic to solve problems.
4. Differentiate from earlier stages: Unlike the concrete operational stage, where thinking is limited to tangible and concrete objects, the formal operational stage allows for abstract and hypothetical thinking.
5. Apply this understanding to the options: The ability to successfully think about hypothetical situations is a hallmark of the formal operational stage, distinguishing it from earlier stages where such thinking is not yet developed.