Which of the following best describes the concept of object permanence as studied in developmental psychology?

• A. The ability to use language to represent objects and ideas
• B. The tendency to focus on only one aspect of a situation at a time
• C. The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched
• D. The process of learning through observation and imitation

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that object permanence is a key concept in developmental psychology, particularly studied in the context of infant cognitive development.
2. Step 2: Recognize that object permanence refers to the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are not directly perceived through the senses (i.e., when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched).
3. Step 3: Differentiate object permanence from other cognitive abilities such as language use, focusing on one aspect of a situation, or learning through observation and imitation.
4. Step 4: Recall that this concept is typically developed during the sensorimotor stage of Piaget's theory of cognitive development, which occurs in infancy.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best description of object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be sensed, which is fundamental to how infants begin to understand the world around them.