A Short Test for Formal Operations ThinkingByAnthony J. Fejfar, J.D., Esq., Coif © Copyright 2007 by Anthony J. Fejfar The developmental psychologist Piaget, asserted in his work that beyond thesimple, naïve thinking of concrete operations, there is a more abstract, difficult typeof thinking known as formal operations, or, hypo-deductive thought. You see, people in concrete operations cannot plan for the future. Concrete people cannotcompare and contrast possible alternative future courses of action and choose afuture which is logically superior.In this essay I am giving a short test for formal operations so that thereader can see, if he or she can think hypo-deductively. Here is the problemfor you to solve:Chris is walking down a path and comes to a fork in the path,one path marked Path A, and the second marked Path B.There is a sign at the head of each path, describing that path: Sign A: Path A is 1 mile longPath A is 3 feet widePath A has a snack bar by the pathPath A at the half way point has a bridgewhich is down for construction, makingthe path impassible.Path A is paved with asphaltSign B: Path B is 1 mile longPath B is 2 feet widePath B has no snack bar Path B has no bridge and is open all the wayPath B is a dirt path

Now, you the reader are required to choose the best path with the goal in mind of reaching a destination 3 miles down the path after the point where paths A and B havemerged and have become one path again. You are to compare and contrast the good and bad points about both paths A and B, and choose the path which logically is better, giventhe goal of reaching your destination. BEGIN the TEST. (Scroll down for the correct answer below after taking the test).