Certificate In Psychology (CPSY) Practice Exam

What is the "A-not-B error" observed by Piaget in infants?

1. Infants fail to search for an object where they last found it.

2. Infants search for the object where it was last found, even when moved.

3. Infants can find the object in a new location only if shown.

4. Infants readily switch their search to a new location after seeing the object moved.

The correct answer is: Infants search for the object where it was last found, even when moved.

The A-not-B error is a phenomenon identified by Jean Piaget in his studies of infant cognitive development, specifically related to object permanence and the understanding of objects in space. It occurs when an infant looks for an object in its initial hiding place (A) where they have previously found it, even after they have observed it being moved to a new location (B). This indicates that while infants may have some understanding of object permanence, they have not yet fully developed the ability to transfer their search behavior based on new information regarding the object's location. As a result, the core of the A-not-B error reflects the limitations in the infant's cognitive processing related to memory and awareness of the target object's location. The finding emphasizes a critical stage of cognitive development regarding how infants interact with and understand their environment. Each of the other answers touches on aspects of the A-not-B task but doesn't accurately capture the essence of the A-not-B error as observed by Piaget. The correct option demonstrates an understanding of the developmental limitations in infants’ search behavior.