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

• A. The ability to use symbols to represent objects and events
• B. The understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched
• C. The tendency to focus on only one aspect of a situation at a time
• D. The process of adjusting existing schemas to incorporate new information

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that object permanence is a fundamental 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 observed through sight, sound, or touch.
3. Step 3: Differentiate object permanence from other cognitive concepts such as symbolic representation (using symbols to represent objects), centration (focusing on one aspect of a situation), and schema adjustment (modifying mental frameworks).
4. Step 4: Recall that object permanence typically develops during the sensorimotor stage of Piaget's theory of cognitive development, usually around 8-12 months of age.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best description of object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched.