Houdini is a normally developing 1-year-old watching a magic act. The magician he is observing has just rolled a ball into what looks like a solid wall. However, when the ball reached the wall, the ball appeared to roll through it. According to research findings by Baillargeon, one would expect that Houdini's most likely reaction would involve
A) disinterest and immediate looking away.
B) surprise, yet immediate looking away.
C) disinterest, yet the infant will stare at the spot the ball appeared to go through the wall.
D) surprise, and the infant will stare at the spot the ball appeared to go through the wall.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Baillargeon's research on object permanence suggests that infants as young as 3.5 months expect objects to continue to exist even when out of view. Houdini, being 1 year old, would likely show surprise and increased attention (staring) at the spot where the ball appeared to defy expectations by going through what seemed to be a solid wall.

Houdini Is a Normally Developing 1-Year-Old Watching a Magic Act