What term describes the understanding that objects continue to exist even when out of sight?

• A. Object Permanence
• B. Conservation
• C. Egocentrism
• D. Abstract Reasoning

Answer: (A)

Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight. This concept is a key milestone in early cognitive development, especially during the sensorimotor stage. When a child has object permanence, they will search for a toy that has been hidden, showing they remember the toy still exists even though they can’t see it. This ability typically emerges around 8 to 12 months and underpins later memory and problem‑solving skills. The other terms refer to different cognitive skills: conservation is about recognizing that quantity stays the same despite changes in appearance, egocentrism is about not being able to see a situation from someone else’s perspective, and abstract reasoning involves thinking about ideas not tied to concrete objects.