Final answer:
The formal operational stage is the last stage of Piaget's cognitive development theory where individuals develop abstract thinking, problem-solving skills, and the ability to understand hypothetical situations. This stage typically begins at age 11 and lasts into adulthood. It represents a significant advancement in cognitive abilities, allowing for complex thought processes and moral reasoning.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formal operational stage is the final stage in Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, starting around age 11 and continuing into adulthood. In this stage, individuals move beyond concrete thinking and begin to think abstractly, develop the ability to think about hypothetical situations, and use abstract thinking to problem-solve and test solutions. Adolescents in the formal operational stage can consider multiple perspectives, debate ideas and opinions, and they are aware of the difference between legality and morality, which indicates a more sophisticated moral understanding.
Furthermore, it is during the formal operational stage where adolescents may experience renewed egocentrism, believing that others share their perceptions intensely. Critiques of Piaget's work suggest that cognitive development may be more continuous than his discrete stages and that children may reach some cognitive milestones earlier than Piaget initially proposed.