A child understands that if an elephant is bigger than a bear and a bear is bigger than a cat, then an elephant is bigger than a cat. This demonstrates the child's understanding of _________.

A) conservation
B) transitivity
C) class inclusion
D) decentration

Transitivity

A principle in logic and mathematics stating that if a relation holds between a first and a second element, and also between the second and a third, it must necessarily hold between the first and the third.

Conservation

The act of preserving, protecting, or restoring the natural environment and wildlife.

Class Inclusion

Class inclusion is a cognitive ability to understand that a specific item can belong to a broader category as well as to a more specific subcategory at the same time, a concept extensively studied by Jean Piaget.