An object is the same despite changes in its presentation. Which concept is this?

• A. Object permanence
• B. Conservation
• C. Assimilation
• D. Egocentrism

Answer: (B)

Conservation is being tested: it means understanding that the amount of something stays the same even when its appearance changes. For example, pouring the same amount of juice into a tall, thin glass versus a short, wide glass doesn’t change how much juice there is, only how it looks. This idea reflects logical thinking about quantity and reversible transformations, typical of the concrete operational stage. Other concepts don’t fit this scenario: object permanence is about knowing objects still exist when not seen, assimilation is about fitting new information into existing schemas, and egocentrism is about not taking others' viewpoints.