ABSTRACT
This chapter describes Piaget's theory of the development of knowledge about physical objects. Of particular interest is the baby's perception and knowledge of object permanence, the principle that objects exist independently of our direct experience of them. Piaget' sown observations will first be reviewed in some detail to illustrate the rather subtle argument he pursues. This is followed by a review of some contemporary evidence which is incompatible with Piaget's theoretical assumptions concerning the relationship between the baby's actions and perception of reality. An attempt is made to reconcile these conflicting views.
