Final answer:
The way that formal operational thinking is manifested is likely different across different cultures. This is because stages of cognitive development, such as formal operational thinking, can differ based on cultural influences and are part of a continuous developmental process.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on research from developmental psychologists, the most accurate representation of formal operational thinking across cultures would be that: the way that formal operational thinking is manifested is likely different across different cultures. According to Piaget's stages of cognitive development, formal operational thought is the highest level of cognitive thinking which develops between 11 and 20 years old. However, it's worth noting that many psychologists have suggested a fifth stage, known as the postformal stage, in which decisions are made based on situations and circumstances, with logic integrating with emotion as adults develop principles that depend on contexts.
This means that elements such as culture, upbringing, and societal norms can play crucial roles in the way these thinking stages are manifested across individuals. To that end, while the developmental stages as postulated by Piaget are relatively similar, the way they are manifested in different individuals across different cultures can vary significantly.
On top of this, it's important to keep in mind that the stages of cognitive development are not segregated by rigid boundaries and are instead part of a continuous developmental process. This further reinforces the idea that cultural differences can result in different manifestations of formal operational thinking.
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