What developmental stage is characterized by egocentrism?

The preoperational stage, which spans from approximately 2 to 7 years of age, is marked by significant cognitive developments, including the emergence of language and symbolic thinking. During this stage, children exhibit egocentrism, which means they have difficulty understanding perspectives other than their own. They may assume that others share their thoughts, feelings, and viewpoints, leading to a limited ability to empathize with others or consider alternative opinions.

This egocentrism can manifest in various ways, such as believing that everyone sees the world as they do, or being unable to comprehend that people can have different experiences and emotions based on their own unique circumstances. The preoperational stage also includes characteristics such as centration, where a child focuses on one aspect of a situation while neglecting others, and a lack of understanding of conservation concepts.

In contrast, the other developmental stages—sensorimotor, concrete operational, and formal operational—do not primarily emphasize egocentrism in the same way that the preoperational stage does. During the sensorimotor stage, infants are focused on exploring the world through their senses and actions, and egocentrism is not a central concept. In the concrete operational stage, children begin to think logically and