What is the term for the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen?

The term that describes the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen is known as object permanence. This cognitive development milestone is particularly associated with infants and young children. It develops during the sensorimotor stage, a concept outlined by psychologist Jean Piaget. Children begin to realize that objects do not cease to exist just because they are out of sight, enabling them to engage in more complex forms of play and reasoning as they grow.

This concept plays a critical role in the development of memory and understanding the world around them. For instance, when a toy is hidden under a blanket, a child who has achieved object permanence will look for the toy, believing it still exists. This ability to mentally represent objects is fundamental to later cognitive skills.

The other terms, while related to cognitive functions, refer to different concepts in psychology. Object constancy refers to a child’s understanding of an object’s consistent traits despite superficial changes. Object recognition pertains to the ability to identify and differentiate objects based on their characteristics. Object continuity is not a widely recognized term in developmental psychology and does not specifically refer to the understanding of an object's existence when unseen. Thus, object permanence is the precise term that encapsulates the understanding of continuous existence despite invisibility.