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Young children share the spoils after collaboration
Felix Warneken1, Karoline Lohse, Alicia P Melis
1Harvard University, University, Department of Psychology, 33 Kirkland St., Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. warneken@wjh.harvard.edu
Psychological Science
|January 4, 2011
Summary
Three-year-old children demonstrate early egalitarian behavior, sharing resources equally after collaborative tasks. This contrasts with chimpanzees and suggests a species-unique human tendency for fairness emerging in early childhood.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Comparative Psychology
- Human Cooperation
Background:
- Egalitarian behavior is a key aspect of human cooperation.
- Previous research indicated this trait emerges around 6-7 years of age.
- Human adults typically share resources equitably.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ontogeny of egalitarian behavior in young children.
- To compare human children's sharing behavior with that of chimpanzees.
- To explore the role of collaborative tasks in fostering equitable resource distribution.
Main Methods:
- A collaboration task was designed for 3-year-old children and a peer.
- Children worked together to obtain rewards.
- Resource distribution after the task was observed and analyzed.
Main Results:
- 3-year-old children predominantly shared rewards equally with their peer.
- This equitable sharing occurred even when monopolization was possible.
- Children's behavior contrasted with chimpanzees, who tended to monopolize.
Conclusions:
- The human tendency for equitable sharing emerges early in development (by age 3).
- Collaborative interactions may be crucial for the development of this species-unique behavior.
- Early egalitarianism in humans might be rooted in shared experiences and peer interactions.
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