Growth and development: Piaget preoperational stage: practice question

A Pediatrics question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pediatrics · Growth and development: Piaget preoperational stage

Sample item

A 4-year-old tells his mother that the moon is following their car and that his teddy is sad because it was left behind. Which cognitive stage does this thinking represent?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Preoperational stage

In Piaget's preoperational stage, from about 2 to 7 years, children think symbolically but egocentrically and attribute life and feelings to objects. Logical reasoning, such as conservation, appears only in the concrete operational stage.

Option by option

  • A. Formal operational stage

    This stage, from adolescence, involves abstract and hypothetical reasoning.

  • B. Sensorimotor stage

    This stage, to about 2 years, is based on sensation and action, without symbolic thought.

  • C. Preoperational stage (correct)

    Correct. Animism and egocentrism are typical of this stage in 2 to 7 year olds.

  • D. Concrete operational stage

    This stage, from about 7 years, brings logical thinking and conservation.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pediatrics question

What is the answer to this Pediatrics question?

The best answer is C, Preoperational stage. In Piaget's preoperational stage, from about 2 to 7 years, children think symbolically but egocentrically and attribute life and feelings to objects.

Why is "Formal operational stage" not the answer?

This stage, from adolescence, involves abstract and hypothetical reasoning.

Why is "Sensorimotor stage" not the answer?

This stage, to about 2 years, is based on sensation and action, without symbolic thought.

Why is "Concrete operational stage" not the answer?

This stage, from about 7 years, brings logical thinking and conservation.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Growth and development: Piaget preoperational stage in Pediatrics. Logical reasoning, such as conservation, appears only in the concrete operational stage.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Growth and development: Piaget preoperational stage?

Memorise milestones and the vaccine schedule as tables and revise them often. Then use the flashcards and the other Pediatrics questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.