What characterizes the preparatory stage in Mead's role-taking theory?

In Mead's role-taking theory, the preparatory stage is characterized by children's initial engagement in mimicking or imitating the behaviors of those around them, particularly significant others such as parents or caregivers. This stage typically occurs in early childhood and focuses on simple replication of actions and gestures without yet comprehending their meanings or the social roles involved. Through imitation, children begin to absorb the social cues and behaviors that are pivotal for later stages of role-taking.

At this stage, children do not fully understand social rules or the nuances of complex interactions, which is why the other options are not representative of this phase. The understanding of social rules, cooperative play, and complex reasoning are developments associated with later stages in Mead's framework where children start to play distinct roles and develop a greater awareness of social structures and the perspectives of others.