Objektpüsivust

Objektpüsivust, also known as object permanence, is a fundamental concept in developmental psychology. It refers to the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight. This cognitive milestone is typically achieved by infants between the ages of 4 and 7 months, though the precise timing can vary.

Before developing object permanence, infants operate under a principle where "out of sight is out of mind." If a toy is hidden, they will not search for it, as they do not yet grasp that it still exists. This is often demonstrated in Piagetian tasks where an object is placed under a cloth, and a very young infant will not attempt to lift the cloth.

As object permanence develops, infants begin to actively search for hidden objects. This signifies a significant cognitive leap, indicating that they have formed a mental representation of the object and understand its independent existence. This understanding is crucial for the development of other cognitive abilities, such as memory, symbolic thought, and language.

The development of object permanence is often observed in stages. Initially, an infant might search for a partially hidden object. Later, they will search for a completely hidden object. More advanced stages involve understanding that an object can be hidden in multiple locations and remembering where it was last seen. This concept remains a cornerstone in understanding early childhood cognitive development.