On the table were two pieces of string that were identical in length. As Markus watched, one string was rearranged in a circular pattern. Markus then confidently said that the straight piece of string was longer. Markus is:
A) displaying cognitive abilities that are typical of the concrete operational level.
B) in the zone of proximal development.
C) displaying cognitive abilities that are typical of the preoperational level.
D) in the formal operational stage of development.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Markus's belief that the straight string is longer despite being identical in length to the circular string suggests that he is displaying cognitive abilities typical of the preoperational level. This stage is characterized by egocentrism and a lack of conservation, which means that a child cannot understand that an object's properties remain the same even when its appearance changes. Markus's belief that the straight string is longer is an example of this lack of conservation.

On the Table Were Two Pieces of String That Were