Object Permanence

Question 1

The problem

Answer 1

How do we acquire that an object is exists even when we can’t see it?

Question 2

Nativist approach

Answer 2

Innate - selected for in evolution (Spelke)

Question 3

Constructivist approach

Answer 3

Gradually develops with experience - first sign around 18-24 months, requires stored representation (Piaget) –> Errors in search reveals deficits in knowledge

Question 4

Piaget’s substages

Answer 4

Before 6 months: infant doesn’t recover toy even if some is visible, when hidded by cloth

6-7 months: infant searches for partially hidden (occluded) toy, but not totally hidden

8-9 months: Search for toy even when fully occluded, but makes A not B error (where child look under box A instead of B eventhough they see researcher putting it there)

12-18 months: don’t make A not B error, but can’t represent object when moving and invisible

18-24 months: Full object permanence

Question 5

Explanations of errors

Answer 5

Piaget: lack of object permanence,

Critique: ancillary (secondary) deficits

Question 6

Problems for piaget

Answer 6

Occluded sections of objects (Kellman & Spelke): rod moves in same or opposite directions (top and bottom) object in front is moved and it is a full rod or two rods - newborns look more at the unexpected - same with tottally occlusion (possible vs impossible task) - children look more at impossible.

–> Implicit (unconscious) vs explicit (conscious) understanding