6/28/2004
desjardins/honig COGNITION
67
Piaget’s Theory
Stage of formal operational thought
•Allows a person to analyze all combination of
possibilities and
construct hypotheses that are capable of being tested.
–Thoughts become more perceptive and insightful
–Issues therefore are evaluated more realistically and
objectively
–Can contribute to social and occupational decision
making
–Although tend to take greater risks, usually demonstrate
the use of appropriate reasoning
and analytical approaches.
•Young adults use formal operational reasoning as long as
the social environment
and acquired experience provide sufficient
cognitive and intellectual stimulation.
•Young adult intelligence is an excellent predictor of
older adult performance