Madeline is seven months old. her mother is eating a cookie and madeline wants some. her mother hides the cookie under a napkin, but madeline is not fooled. she knows the cookie is still there. what does this exemplify?

General
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madeline is seven months old. her mother is eating a cookie and madeline wants some. her mother hides the cookie under a napkin, but madeline is not fooled. she knows the cookie is still there. what does this exemplify?

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LectureNotes said Madeline is seven months old. Her mother is eating a cookie and Madeline wants some. Her mother hides the cookie under a napkin, but Madeline is not fooled. She knows the cookie is still there. What does this exemplify?

Answer:

This scenario exemplifies the concept of object permanence, a crucial developmental milestone in infancy described by Jean Piaget, a renowned developmental psychologist.

Understanding Object Permanence

**1. Definition:

  • Object permanence is the understanding that objects continue to exist even when they cannot be seen, heard, or touched.

**2. Development Stage:

  • According to Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, object permanence typically develops during the sensorimotor stage, which spans from birth to approximately 2 years of age.
  • By around 7 to 9 months, many infants begin to understand object permanence.

**3. Significance:

  • The achievement of this skill is a fundamental sign of cognitive progress. It indicates that the infant has begun to understand the permanence of objects and can form mental representations of them.

Madeline’s Example of Object Permanence:

**1. Scenario Breakdown:

  • Madeline’s mother hides the cookie under a napkin.
  • Despite the cookie being out of sight, Madeline knows it still exists.

**2. Cognitive Abilities Displayed:

  • Madeline is demonstrating early signs of object permanence by recognizing that the cookie still exists under the napkin, even though she cannot see it.
  • This indicates her ability to hold a mental representation of the cookie in her mind.

Implications for Further Cognitive Development:

**1. Enhanced Memory and Problem-Solving:

  • As infants develop object permanence, their memory and problem-solving skills improve. They begin to remember where objects are located and can search for hidden items.

**2. Further Developmental Milestones:

  • This understanding lays the groundwork for more complex cognitive functions, such as symbolic thinking and the ability to engage in pretend play.

Final Answer:
The scenario described exemplifies object permanence. Madeline, at seven months old, shows cognitive development by understanding that the cookie still exists under the napkin, even when it is out of sight.