Final answer:
An individual can consider abstract ideas and hypothetical concepts in Piaget's formal operational stage, which starts around age 11 and marks advanced cognitive abilities. d) Formal operational stage .
Step-by-step explanation:
The formal operational stage is the Piagetian stage where an individual is capable of considering abstract ideas and hypothetical concepts. This is the correct answer: d) Formal operational stage.
In Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the formal operational stage is the final phase, beginning around age 11 and continuing into adulthood. During this period, individuals develop the ability to think abstractly, allowing them to problem-solve and consider various hypothetical scenarios. Unlike the earlier concrete operational stage, where children's thinking is limited to tangible and real events, adolescents in the formal operational stage can contemplate ideas and situations that are not directly experienced. For instance, they become capable of conducting scientific reasoning, such as formulating a hypothesis and envisaging the potential outcomes of experiments. This stage marks a significant leap in cognitive abilities, as individuals start to utilize abstract thinking, which is key for advanced learning and moral reasoning.