Answer & Explanation

Stephen conducts a study with 10 children between ages 5 and 12. He asks them why a tower made of toy building blocks topples after it reaches a certain height. The older children answer the question accurately, whereas the younger children fail to do so. Which of the following is most likely the reason for this? Unlike the older children, the younger children lack an understanding of transitive inferences. Unlike the older children, the younger children lack an understanding of class inclusion. The younger children have the ability of seriation, but they lack inductive reasoning abilities. The older children are able to understand and make judgments about cause and effect.