At what developmental stage do individuals begin to think logically about abstract concepts?

Individuals begin to think logically about abstract concepts during the formal operational stage, which is a key phase of cognitive development according to Jean Piaget's theory. At this stage, typically occurring from around age 12 and onward, individuals gain the ability to perform operations on abstract concepts and think logically about hypothetical situations. They can systematically plan, think about abstract ideas and concepts, and draw conclusions from premises, which marks a significant advancement in cognitive maturity.

This contrasts with earlier stages, such as the preoperational stage, where thinking is still very much rooted in concrete and tangible ideas, making it hard for children to understand abstract concepts. Similarly, in the concrete operational stage, which occurs prior to the formal operational stage, individuals can think logically about concrete events and objects but may struggle with abstract reasoning. Finally, during the sensorimotor stage, which occurs from birth to about 2 years old, cognitive development is centered around physical interactions with the environment, laying the groundwork for future stages but not yet involving abstract thought processes. Thus, the formal operational stage is where true abstract and logical thinking emerges, leading to a more sophisticated understanding of various concepts.