In the concept of Person Permanence, what belief persists after someone is no longer perceived?

• A. Our belief that people still exist when we can no longer perceive them
• B. The belief that minds vanish with perception
• C. The belief that memories persist forever
• D. The belief that objects stop existing

Answer: (A)

Person Permanence is the understanding that a person continues to exist even when they are not in view or directly perceived. The belief that persists after someone is no longer perceived is that people still exist even when we can’t see them, hear them, or interact with them in the moment. This reflects a developmental step in social cognition, where the mind recognizes that others have a continued existence and agency beyond immediate perception, not just when they’re closely nearby. For example, when a parent leaves the room, a child with this understanding expects them to return and does not conclude that the person has vanished. This concept is distinct from the idea that minds vanish with perception, from memories alone keeping someone present, or from the notion that objects disappear when hidden.