---
title: "Concrete Operational — AP Psychology Definition & Review"
description: "Concrete operational is Piaget's stage (ages ~7-11) where kids think logically about tangible things, mastering conservation and reversibility but not abstraction."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/concrete-operational"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Psychology"
---

# Concrete Operational — AP Psychology Definition & Review

## Definition

The concrete operational stage is a period of cognitive development in which children, typically between the ages of 7 and 11, demonstrate logical thinking and the ability to understand concrete objects and events. They can perform operations on tangible objects but struggle with abstract or hypothetical concepts.

## Review

### Related Terms

- [Conservation](/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/conservation): The understanding that despite changes in appearance, certain properties of objects remain constant.
- Reversibility: The concept that actions can be undone or reversed.
- Seriation: The ability to arrange items in order based on size, length, or other characteristics.