What describes the belief that one is the center of the universe in early cognitive development?

The correct answer is egocentrism, which describes a key aspect of early cognitive development, particularly during the preoperational stage as outlined in Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development. Egocentrism refers to the tendency of young children to perceive the world primarily from their own perspective, believing that their viewpoints and experiences are shared by others.

In this stage, children struggle to understand that other people may have different thoughts, feelings, and viewpoints. For instance, a child might assume that everyone sees the world exactly as they do or might think that their feelings or beliefs are universally shared. This is evident in tasks like the famous "three mountains task," where children are unable to see the perspective of someone standing on the opposite side of the mountains, illustrating their limited ability to adopt another person's viewpoint.

Understanding egocentrism is crucial for recognizing how cognitive abilities evolve over time. As children grow and their cognitive skills develop, they begin to overcome egocentric thinking, leading to a greater awareness of others' perspectives and the complexities of social interactions.