Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 2, 2026
06:51
The Modified Temptation Resistance Task: A Paradigm to Elicit Children's Strategic Lie-telling
Published on: April 6, 2018
8.9K
Children's decision making: When self-interest and moral considerations conflict
Arber Tasimi1, Marcia K Johnson1, Karen Wynn1
1Department of Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Journal of Experimental Child Psychology
|May 9, 2017
Summary
Children prioritize avoiding wrongdoers over seeking out do-gooders when personal gain is involved. Their aversion to negative characters strongly influences choices, even when a better offer is available from a neutral source.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Moral Psychology
- Social Cognition
Background:
- Children's decision-making involves balancing self-interest with moral considerations.
- Understanding how children evaluate social partners based on behavior is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if 5- and 6-year-olds prefer offerings from do-gooders over neutral individuals at a personal cost.
- To examine if children reject wrongdoers' offerings more than neutral individuals' at a personal cost.
- To compare the conflict levels in decisions involving do-gooders versus wrongdoers.
Main Methods:
- Study involved 160 children aged 5–6 years.
- Participants made choices between offerings from different social characters (do-gooder, neutral, wrongdoer).
- Response times were measured to assess decision conflict.
Main Results:
- Children's preference for do-gooders was overcome by material gain; they accepted larger offers from neutral sources.
- Aversion to wrongdoers was strong; children rejected larger offers from mean sources for smaller ones from neutral sources.
- Deciding to accept gain from a wrongdoer caused conflict, unlike accepting lesser gain from a do-gooder.
Conclusions:
- Children weigh material interests alongside social behaviors when choosing partners.
- Aversion to wrongdoers is a more significant factor in children's social partner selection than attraction to do-gooders.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Kohlberg's Theory of Moral Development
1.2K
Kohlberg's theory of moral development uses the Heinz dilemma — a thought experiment in which a man, Heinz, must decide whether to steal an unaffordable drug to save his dying wife — to illustrate the evolution of moral reasoning. This framework, divided into three levels with two stages, highlights how individuals' understanding of right and wrong becomes increasingly complex.
Pre-Conventional Level
At the pre-conventional level, morality is primarily driven by personal...
Pre-Conventional Level
At the pre-conventional level, morality is primarily driven by personal...
1.2K
01:17Ethical Dilemmas I
2.1K
Ethical dilemmas in nursing are of utmost importance, as they often arise from the tension between adhering to core ethical principles and the practical realities of healthcare delivery. These dilemmas require nurses to navigate complex situations where competing ethical considerations pull them in different directions.
Let us explore some examples to understand the potentially complex moral decisions nurses face.
Take the case of caring for minors, particularly in areas related to reproductive...
Let us explore some examples to understand the potentially complex moral decisions nurses face.
Take the case of caring for minors, particularly in areas related to reproductive...
2.1K
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
19.0K
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
19.0K
01:20Decision Making
1.1K
Decision-making is a fundamental cognitive process that involves evaluating alternatives and selecting among them. This process can range from simple choices, such as deciding what to wear, to complex decisions, like choosing a major in college or a career path. The complexity of the decision often dictates the approach we use, which can be broadly categorized into two types: automatic and controlled decision-making.
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
Automatic decision-making is fast, intuitive, and relies on gut feelings...
1.1K
01:14Frustration and Conflict: Avoidance-Avoidance, Double-Approach Avoidance
739
Avoidance-avoidance conflict refers to a psychological situation where a person must choose between two or more unpleasant alternatives. These conflicts are particularly stressful because neither option is desirable. This dilemma is often expressed in sayings like "caught between a rock and a hard place" or "between the devil and the deep blue sea." For instance, individuals who fear dental procedures may find themselves torn between enduring a painful toothache or facing the...
739
01:20Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other
304
According to George Herbert Mead, as children progress beyond the game stage, they develop a more comprehensive understanding of societal rules and norms. This cognitive and social development enables them to internalize the expectations of the broader community, refining their ability to regulate behavior.Consistent participation in organized activities is crucial in helping children recognize that their actions are not isolated but contribute to a more significant, interconnected group...
304