Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Special Education Practice Exam

What is a key characteristic of the Preoperational Stage in Piaget's theory?

1. Ability to perform logical operations

2. Understanding of conservation concepts

3. Egocentrism and inability to assume another's perspective

4. Development of systematic planning

The correct answer is: Egocentrism and inability to assume another's perspective

In Piaget's theory of cognitive development, the Preoperational Stage is characterized by egocentrism, which is the tendency of children to view the world solely from their own perspective and to have difficulty understanding that others may have different viewpoints or experiences. During this stage, which typically occurs between the ages of 2 and 7, children are unable to easily take the perspective of others, leading to challenges in social interactions and communication. The egocentric nature of children in this stage means they might struggle with tasks that require them to consider someone else's thoughts or feelings. For example, a child may assume that if they cannot see something, others cannot either. This characteristic profoundly influences their cognitive development and social understanding as they grow and begin to recognize the thoughts and feelings of others in later stages. This understanding is foundational to grasping how children perceive and interpret the world around them.