The ability to perceive an object as the same object despite a gap in perceiving it, such as being able to identify an object as the same entity although it passes behind a screen on part of its trajectory. Movement on a constant trajectory is one cue that may be used to infer identity. Identity does not imply permanence, since attribution of identity does not include any assumptions regarding continuity of existence.
See Numerical identity, Object permanence, Object segregation, Search errors in infancy, Two visual systems hypothesis, Violation of expectancy technique