Sally is about to complete a laboratory task that involves watching specific numbers of items being placed into a bucket with a false bottom. The researcher carrying out the task places some of the items into the false bottom, while leaving some in the main part of the bucket for Sally to find. If Sally is a one-year-old infant, and she sees two items go into the bucket but finds only one item when she reaches in, what will she do next?
A) She will do nothing. She will be contented with finding one item.
B) She will do nothing. She cannot tell the difference between one item and two items.
C) She will cry until the researcher helps her find the second item.
D) She will keep searching until she finds the second item.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

By the age of one, infants have developed object permanence, understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen. Therefore, if Sally sees two items go into the bucket but only finds one, she will likely continue searching for the second item, indicating her expectation that it should still be there.

Sally Is About to Complete a Laboratory Task That Involves