Operations involve the use of higher level cognitive skills which includes deductive, inductive, and hypothetical reasoning. It also means that the person has developed beyond the preoperational and concrete operational stages. Review the components of these stages in earlier modules. However, not all adults reach this advanced stage of cognitive development. It is my firm belief, that when you are choosing a mate, you should make sure that this person has reached Formal Operations. The question: Why would the ability to reason at the level of Formal Operations (as opposed to being stuck in a lower lever) be important for a healthy relationship?