According to Piaget's theory, egocentrism is a characteristic of which developmental stage?

The correct answer is related to Piaget's preoperational stage of cognitive development, which typically occurs between ages 2 and 7. During this period, children exhibit egocentrism, meaning they have difficulty understanding perspectives other than their own. This is characterized by a strong focus on their own point of view and an inability to comprehend that others may have different thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Egocentrism manifests when a child assumes that everyone sees the world as they do. For example, in a common experiment, when a child is asked to describe what a doll sitting across from them can see, they often point to their own viewpoint rather than considering what the doll can observe. This inability to decenter their thinking is a hallmark of the preoperational stage.

In contrast, the other stages—sensorimotor, concrete operations, and formal operations—do not primarily emphasize egocentrism. The sensorimotor stage, which occurs from birth to about 2 years old, focuses more on physical interactions and sensory experiences rather than cognitive processing. The concrete operations stage, occurring from approximately 7 to 11 years old, involves more logical thinking about concrete objects and situations, where children begin to overcome egocentrism. Finally