What characteristic defines the pre-operational stage of cognitive development?

The defining characteristic of the pre-operational stage of cognitive development, according to Jean Piaget, is egocentrism. During this stage, which typically occurs between the ages of 2 and 7, children struggle to see things from perspectives other than their own. They often assume that everyone experiences the world in the same way they do, which can lead to misunderstandings about others' feelings and thoughts.

Egocentrism is not simply selfishness; rather, it is a natural part of cognitive development where children are not yet able to appreciate the viewpoints of others. This characteristic reflects their cognitive limitations, as they have not yet developed the ability to engage in logical thinking or understand abstract concepts, which are hallmarks of later stages in Piaget’s theory.

The other options represent cognitive abilities that are developed in later stages. Logical reasoning, abstract thinking, and concrete problem-solving emerge in the concrete operational stage and formal operational stage, indicating that children have advanced beyond the pre-operational stage and can think more systematically and critically.