Two short, fat glasses with the same amount of water are placed in front of a group of children. The children watch as water is poured from one short, fat glass into a tall, skinny glass. The children are then asked, "Does the tall, skinny glass have the same, more, or less water than the short, fat glass?" At what stage of development would a child first be able to correctly answer that the glasses have equal amounts?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ability to understand conservation (that objects remain the same despite changes in appearance or arrangement) typically begins to develop in the concrete operational stage (around ages 7-11). Younger children in the sensorimotor and preoperational stages may struggle with understanding that objects can maintain the same amount despite changes in shape or container. The formal operational stage, which occurs around adolescence and beyond, involves more abstract thinking and problem-solving, but is not necessary for understanding conservation.

Two Short, Fat Glasses with the Same Amount of Water