Final answer:
During adolescence, an individual reaches the Formal Operational Stage of Piaget's cognitive development theory, where they can engage in abstract thinking and comprehend hypothetical situations, moving beyond the concrete logic of earlier stages. d) Formal Operational Stage
Step-by-step explanation:
During adolescence, a person reaches Piaget's Formal Operational Stage. This stage, which spans from around 11 years old to adulthood, is characterized by the ability to think abstractly and to comprehend hypothetical situations. Adolescents in this stage of development are not just limited to concrete logic, but can also employ abstract thinking to solve problems, consider different solutions, and test their ideas. It represents a step beyond the Concrete Operational Stage, where children (roughly between 7 to 11 years old) are typically able to think logically only about tangible events and objects.
According to Piaget's theory, the Formal Operational Stage includes the capabilities to discuss and debate various topics such as politics, religion, and justice, along with questioning authority and societal norms. This cognitive development aligns with the adolescent growth spurt of increased processing speed and improved problem-solving techniques.