Object Permanence

Cognitive function of knowing objects continue to exist when not observed

Authors

Affiliations

Nate Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Knowing that objects continue to exist when they cannot be directly observed or sensed is called “object permanence”¹

Example

For example, when a ball rolls under a couch and out of sight, infants who have object permanence understand that the ball exists. They may persist in attaining the ball by moving their body in various ways to look for and reach it even though it is hidden from view¹

Function

“This fundamental cognitive skill is important for working memory and allows us to form and retain mental representations of objects”¹

“As a cognitive construct, object permanence is intimately connected to perceptual motor experiences including object exploration and self-mobility”¹

Measures

A scale was developed to measure object permanence (Object Permanence Scale [OPS])¹

Dysfunction

• Compared with typical development, infants with motor delays were also delayed in development of object permanence¹
• Infants demonstrated increased understanding over time and as sitting skills improved

References

1.

An M, Marcinowski EC, Hsu LY, et al. Object Permanence and the Relationship to Sitting Development in Infants With Motor Delays. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2022;34(3):309-316. doi:10.1097/PEP.0000000000000909