Suppose you observe a researcher interacting with an infant by shaking a rattle while the baby is watching, and then placing the rattle underneath a pillow. The researcher then records whether or not the baby can find the rattle under the pillow. The concept this researcher is studying is most likely:
A) assimilation
B) accommodation
C) object permanence
D) deferred imitation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The researcher's actions of shaking a rattle and then placing it under a pillow is an example of testing object permanence, which is the concept that objects continue to exist even when they are out of sight. The researcher is observing whether the infant is able to search for the object after it has been moved out of sight, which requires an understanding of object permanence. Assimilation and accommodation relate to the process of adapting to new information or experiences, while deferred imitation involves the ability to imitate a behavior that was observed at an earlier time. None of these concepts are being directly tested in this scenario.

Suppose You Observe a Researcher Interacting with an Infant by Shaking