AP Psychology Practice Test

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Study for the AP Psychology Exam with a comprehensive quiz that includes flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question is accompanied by hints and explanations to enhance understanding. Prepare effectively for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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Which stage involves beginning to think logically about abstract concepts?

Preoperational stage
Sensorimotor stage
Concrete operational stage
Formal operational stage

The correct answer is: Formal operational stage

The formal operational stage is characterized by the ability to think logically about abstract concepts, as well as hypothetical situations. This stage usually begins around age 11 and continues into adulthood. During this period, individuals can manipulate ideas in their mind without needing concrete objects, enabling them to solve problems systematically and understand scientific reasoning. In this stage, people can think about abstract concepts such as ethics, relationships, and philosophical questions. They can also engage in deductive reasoning, where they can apply general principles to specific situations. This cognitive advancement allows for more complex thought processes and greater understanding of variables in problem-solving. The other stages reflect different levels of cognitive development. The preoperational stage, which occurs from about ages 2 to 7, is marked by symbolic play and egocentrism but lacks logical reasoning. The sensorimotor stage is from birth to approximately 2 years, focusing on motor activities and sensory experiences. The concrete operational stage, occurring between ages 7 to 11, involves logical reasoning but is limited to concrete objects and experiences, lacking the ability to think abstractly.