Which stage involves discovering new ways to produce the same consequence?

The correct answer highlights the stage known as tertiary circular reactions, which is part of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, specifically in the sensorimotor stage. During this stage, which occurs roughly between 12 to 18 months of age, infants actively experiment with their environment. This experimentation involves trying out new behaviors to see what outcomes they produce.

In the context of discovering new ways to achieve the same result, children in the tertiary circular reactions stage engage in trial-and-error learning. For example, an infant might drop a toy from different heights or at different angles to observe how the toy behaves and understand the cause-and-effect relationship. This exploration leads to a deeper understanding of their environment and the mechanics at play, demonstrating cognitive growth.

The other developmental stages mentioned are distinct in their characteristics. Primary circular reactions occur earlier in life (1-4 months) and involve repetitive actions centered on the infant's own body that are pleasurable, such as sucking their thumb. Secondary circular reactions, which take place from about 4 to 8 months, focus on actions that influence the environment, such as shaking a rattle to produce sound—this is a more reactive form of learning. Coordination of secondary reactions occurs slightly later (8-12 months) and