Objektkontinuität

Objektkontinuität refers to the principle that an object's identity remains consistent over time, even if its appearance or location changes. This is a fundamental concept in cognitive psychology and developmental psychology, particularly in the study of infant perception. Infants demonstrate object permanence, the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are hidden from view. This is a key aspect of object continuity, as it implies the infant recognizes the hidden object as the same entity.

The development of object continuity is often studied through experiments involving visual tracking and surprise. For instance, if an object moves behind a screen and then reappears in a different location, an infant's reaction can indicate whether they believe it to be the same object. A sustained gaze or a look of surprise suggests they expected the object to emerge from behind the screen in its original location, demonstrating an understanding of its continuous existence and trajectory.

This cognitive ability is crucial for understanding the world and navigating it effectively. It allows individuals to form stable mental representations of objects and their relationships, forming the basis for more complex cognitive functions like memory and reasoning. Without object continuity, the world would appear as a constantly shifting and disconnected series of sensory experiences.