What does object permanence in infants indicate?

Object permanence in infants is a crucial developmental milestone that refers to the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or otherwise sensed. Therefore, the concept of object permanence indicates that infants begin to understand that objects remain constant and are not dependent on their immediate visibility.

Selecting the option that claims infants cannot conceive that an object exists without seeing it does not accurately reflect the concept of object permanence. Instead, recognizing object permanence means the infant is beginning to grasp that just because they cannot see an object, it does not mean the object has disappeared. Mastery of this concept typically develops between 4 to 7 months of age and is a fundamental step in cognitive development, influencing problem-solving, exploration, and attachment.

In contrast, the other options suggest misunderstandings of infant cognitive abilities. For example, stating that infants forget about objects quickly ignores the aspect of memory retention associated with object permanence. Additionally, the idea that they prefer objects to be hidden does not align with the observed behaviors of infants who often actively seek out hidden objects, demonstrating their understanding that the objects still exist.