At what age does Piaget's formal operational stage typically begin?

Piaget's formal operational stage typically begins around age 12. This stage is characterized by the development of abstract reasoning and the ability to think logically about hypothetical situations. During this stage, individuals can formulate and test hypotheses, think about abstract concepts like justice or morality, and reason systematically about potential outcomes. This cognitive advancement allows for more sophisticated problem-solving skills and deeper understanding of complex issues.

The earlier stages of development, such as the sensorimotor and preoperational stages, occur at much younger ages and focus on different aspects of cognitive growth that do not yet include the advanced reasoning capabilities seen in the formal operational stage. Therefore, age 12 marks a significant transition into higher-level cognitive functioning.