Anna's belief that her brother will become a girl by wearing her dress exemplifies which cognitive concept?

Anna's belief that her brother will become a girl by wearing her dress highlights an aspect of cognitive development related to her understanding of gender and identity. This reflects a stage where children often hold fixed ideas and show difficulty in understanding that certain characteristics, such as gender, remain constant despite changes in appearance or external circumstances. This is a common characteristic of young children's thinking, where they may not yet grasp the concept of permanence or the idea that certain transformations do not change essential attributes.

Irreversible thinking is indicative of this cognitive stage, as it illustrates that the child does not understand that putting on a dress does not change a person's gender identity. Rather, it emphasizes a belief that appearances can directly influence one's being. This understanding is part of the developmental process where children begin to learn about identity, the permanence of certain traits, and the distinction between external appearances and underlying identity. As children mature, they typically learn to navigate these concepts with a more nuanced understanding, which contrasts with the view demonstrated by Anna.