Which statement describes the sensorimotor stage?

Which statement describes the sensorimotor stage?

• A. Differentiates self from objects and can think of an object not present.
• B. Uses abstract reasoning about hypothetical situations.
• C. Demonstrates conservation of quantity.
• D. Develops formal operational thinking.

Answer: (A)

In the sensorimotor stage, infants learn about the world by acting on it and using their senses, and they begin to distinguish themselves from objects. A key milestone is object permanence—the understanding that objects exist even when they’re not in view—which goes together with developing some mental representation, such as thinking of an object not present. This combination—recognizing self as separate from the external world and mentally representing absent objects—best fits this stage. Choices describing abstract reasoning about hypothetical situations, or the ability to conserve quantity and engage in formal operational thinking, align with later stages (formal operational and concrete operational) and thus do not describe the sensorimotor period.

In the sensorimotor stage, infants learn about the world by acting on it and using their senses, and they begin to distinguish themselves from objects. A key milestone is object permanence—the understanding that objects exist even when they’re not in view—which goes together with developing some mental representation, such as thinking of an object not present. This combination—recognizing self as separate from the external world and mentally representing absent objects—best fits this stage.

Choices describing abstract reasoning about hypothetical situations, or the ability to conserve quantity and engage in formal operational thinking, align with later stages (formal operational and concrete operational) and thus do not describe the sensorimotor period.