What is the A-not-B error and what does it reveal about infant cognition?

What is the A-not-B error and what does it reveal about infant cognition?

• A. Infants search new location after seeing it moved to B.
• B. Infants cannot remember objects at all.
• C. Infants search original location (A) despite seeing it moved to B; demonstrates object permanence and working memory.
• D. Infants never search for objects.

Answer: (C)

The A-not-B error reveals how infant cognition blends emerging object knowledge with still-maturing executive control. In this scenario, infants demonstrate object permanence by expecting the object to exist even when hidden. But when the object is moved from the original spot to a new one in front of them, many infants persist in searching at the original location, instead of updating their memory and inhibiting the prior response. This shows they can remember that the object exists, yet their ability to hold the new location in mind and override a learned motor pattern is still developing. So the pattern reflects both knowledge that objects continue to exist and limitations in updating that knowledge and controlling their actions.

The A-not-B error reveals how infant cognition blends emerging object knowledge with still-maturing executive control. In this scenario, infants demonstrate object permanence by expecting the object to exist even when hidden. But when the object is moved from the original spot to a new one in front of them, many infants persist in searching at the original location, instead of updating their memory and inhibiting the prior response. This shows they can remember that the object exists, yet their ability to hold the new location in mind and override a learned motor pattern is still developing. So the pattern reflects both knowledge that objects continue to exist and limitations in updating that knowledge and controlling their actions.