During which age range does Piaget's Formal Operations stage occur?

The Formal Operations stage, according to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, typically begins around the age of 11 or 12 and continues into adolescence, often up to around 16 or even into adulthood. During this stage, individuals develop the ability to think abstractly, logically, and systematically. This includes the ability to solve complex problems and consider hypothetical situations, a significant advancement from the previous concrete operational stage that occurs during the ages of 7 to 12.

The key characteristics of the Formal Operations stage include the development of deductive reasoning and a greater understanding of concepts such as morality, philosophy, and scientific reasoning. This cognitive ability enables adolescents to think about possibilities and abstract ideas rather than just tangible experiences. Therefore, identifying the age range for this stage as 11/12 to 16 years encapsulates the commencement of abstract thought processes that define this critical period in cognitive development.