Examination for Professional Practice of Psychology (EPPP) Practice Test

In Piaget's theory of cognitive development, children in the preoperational stage (typically ages 2 to 7) exhibit animistic thinking, which is the belief that inanimate objects possess life-like qualities and emotions. This cognitive phenomenon is largely attributed to egocentrism, a hallmark characteristic of this developmental stage. Egocentrism refers to a child's inability to see things from perspectives other than their own, which influences how they interpret the world around them. Children at this stage often anthropomorphize objects, attributing human traits and feelings to non-human entities, because they are primarily understanding their experiences through their own viewpoint. They may see objects as having thoughts, feelings, or intentions similar to theirs, leading to the belief that, for instance, a tree or a toy can feel sad or happy. The other options represent different cognitive limitations but do not accurately explain animistic thinking. Decentration refers to the ability to consider multiple aspects of a situation; a lack of object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when not seen; and relativistic thinking involves understanding that situations are context-dependent. While these cognitive limitations are relevant in discussing Piaget’s stages, they do not directly account for the animistic beliefs seen in