What stage of mental development do adolescents surpass compared to children?

The correct answer is the stage of abstract thinking. During adolescence, young people develop the ability to think abstractly, allowing them to process and reflect upon concepts beyond just concrete ideas. This includes the capacity to engage in hypothetical reasoning, consider possible future outcomes, and understand complex social issues.

While children typically focus on tangible, concrete experiences and limitations, adolescents become capable of considering the world from various perspectives and understanding deeper meanings behind situations. This cognitive shift allows them to engage in more sophisticated reasoning and problem-solving abilities, which are critical skills for their continued development in education and personal relationships.

The growth in abstract thinking represents a significant leap in cognitive development, enabling adolescents to analyze situations more critically and think more independently compared to their childhood years.