Final answer:
In contrast to Piaget's model, formal operational thinking is influenced by education in the sciences and mathematics, which helps promote cognitive development beyond Piaget's formal operational stage into postformal thought.
Step-by-step explanation:
In contrast to Jean Piaget's views, the development of formal operational thinking is promoted by education in the logic of science and mathematics. Piaget's theory proposes that the highest level of cognitive development, which includes the ability to think abstractly and handle hypothetical situations, typically develops between 11 and 20 years old. This stage is known as the formal operational stage. While Piaget suggested that cognitive development occurs in distinct stages, contemporary research emphasizes that education and cultural influences play a significant role in promoting these cognitive abilities. Moreover, the theory has evolved to include the concept of postformal thought, which occurs beyond adolescence and integrates logic with emotion, suggesting that adult thinking is more context-dependent and less determined by a specific developmental stage.