Difficulty: Easy

Average Score: 87%

Which definition describes object permanence?

Rationale

Infants develop an understanding that objects that are out of sight still exist.

Object permanence is a critical cognitive development milestone in infants, signifying their ability to understand that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen. This understanding typically emerges around 8 to 12 months of age and is foundational for later cognitive processes, such as memory and problem-solving.

A (Infants develop an understanding that objects that are out of sight still exist) CORRECT

This definition accurately captures the essence of object permanence, highlighting the cognitive leap infants make when they realize that hidden objects are still present in the environment. This acknowledgment of unseen objects is crucial for their understanding of the world and lays the groundwork for further cognitive development.

B (Infants develop a fear of unfamiliar objects) YOUR ANSWER

While infants may exhibit fear or wariness towards unfamiliar objects, this behavior is more related to their emotional and social development rather than cognitive understanding. Fear responses can arise from a lack of familiarity, but they do not indicate an understanding of object permanence.

C (Infants can work with objects without having prior experience) YOUR ANSWER

This statement pertains to exploratory behavior and problem-solving skills rather than object permanence. Infants may manipulate objects based on instinct or previous interactions, but this does not reflect their understanding of whether those objects exist when not visible.

D (Infants have a cognitive understanding that solid objects cannot move through each other) YOUR ANSWER

This concept relates to the understanding of physical properties and causality, but it does not directly define object permanence. While infants do learn about object interactions, the core principle of object permanence is specifically about the existence of objects when out of sight, not their physical interactions.

Conclusion

Object permanence is a foundational aspect of cognitive development in infants, marking their realization that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen. This understanding is crucial for developing memory and problem-solving abilities. The other choices, while related to different aspects of infant development, do not accurately define the concept of object permanence, which is specifically focused on the existence of hidden objects.

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