Which task best demonstrates the cognitive ability of conservation?

The task that best demonstrates the cognitive ability of conservation involves observing changes to a ball of clay. Conservation is a key concept in cognitive development, primarily identified by psychologist Jean Piaget. It refers to the understanding that certain properties of objects, such as volume, mass, or number, remain unchanged even when their form or arrangement changes.

In the case of observing changes to a ball of clay, a child would see that flattening the ball into a pancake shape alters its appearance but does not change the amount of clay present. This observation allows the individual to grasp the idea that quantity remains the same despite the change in shape or configuration, showcasing their understanding of conservation.

Other tasks listed, such as rearranging objects on a desk, comparing weights of different objects, or sorting colored beads, do not specifically test the ability to understand that quantity remains constant regardless of alterations to form or arrangement. These tasks may assess other cognitive skills but do not directly relate to the principle of conservation.