Which stage is included in Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development?

Appeared in: Uttarakhand CHO - 2021

Explanation

The Concrete Operational stage is the third stage in Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development.
This stage typically occurs between the ages of 7 and 11 years.
A key achievement during this stage is the development of logical thought concerning concrete or physical objects.
Children master the principle of conservation, understanding that properties like mass, volume, and number remain the same despite changes in the form of objects.
They also understand reversibility, the concept that actions can be reversed.

Option A: This is a psychological concept related to social anxiety and attachment theory, not a formal stage of cognitive development described by Piaget.
Option B: This is a core concept from Karen Horney's psychoanalytic theory, not Piaget's.
Option D: This is a stage from Erik Erikson's theory of psychosocial development, which focuses on social and emotional development across the lifespan, not cognitive development in childhood.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding Piaget's stages helps nurses tailor their communication and patient education to a child's cognitive level.
For a school-aged child (7-11 years) in the concrete operational stage, a nurse should use concrete examples, visual aids, and hands-on models to explain procedures or health concepts, as abstract explanations are difficult for them to grasp.
What if? If the patient were a 4-year-old, the nurse would need to use simpler language, symbolic play (e.g., using a doll to show where an injection will go), and pictures, as the child is in the Preoperational stage and their thinking is egocentric and not yet logical.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key concept in the question, which is 'Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development'.
This is a factual recall question. Access your memory of the specific stages proposed by Jean Piaget.
The four stages are: Sensorimotor, Preoperational, Concrete Operational, and Formal Operational.
Scan the options provided to see which one matches a stage from the theory.
Option C, 'Concrete operational', is a direct match.
Eliminate the other options by identifying them as belonging to different psychological theories (Erikson, Horney) or as general psychological concepts.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Psychology Baron Misra 5e Part 1 p. 280-282

E6 Text Book Of Pediatric Nursing 3rd Panchali Pal — Part 1 (pp 36-238 of 713) p. 83-85

Practise the full Uttarakhand CHO - 2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.