Rethinking natural altruism: simple reciprocal interactions trigger children's benevolence - PubMed (original) (raw)
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2014 Dec 2;111(48):17071-4.
doi: 10.1073/pnas.1419408111. Epub 2014 Nov 17.
Affiliations
- PMID: 25404334
- PMCID: PMC4260564
- DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1419408111
Randomized Controlled Trial
Rethinking natural altruism: simple reciprocal interactions trigger children's benevolence
Rodolfo Cortes Barragan et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014.
Abstract
A very simple reciprocal activity elicited high degrees of altruism in 1- and 2-y-old children, whereas friendly but nonreciprocal activity yielded little subsequent altruism. In a second study, reciprocity with one adult led 1- and 2-y-olds to provide help to a new person. These results question the current dominant claim that social experiences cannot account for early occurring altruistic behavior. A third study, with preschool-age children, showed that subtle reciprocal cues remain potent elicitors of altruism, whereas a fourth study with preschoolers showed that even a brief reciprocal experience fostered children's expectation of altruism from others. Collectively, the studies suggest that simple reciprocal interactions are a potent trigger of altruism for young children, and that these interactions lead children to believe that their relationships are characterized by mutual care and commitment.
Keywords: altruism; morality; reciprocity; social development.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Figures
Fig. 1.
Effect of reciprocal play manipulation on helping in study 1 (A) and study 2 (C) and on generosity in study 3 (B). Error bars represent the SEM.
Comment in
- Reply to Warneken: Social experience can illuminate early-emerging behaviors.
Cortes Barragan R, Dweck CS. Cortes Barragan R, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015 Mar 10;112(10):E1053. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1500252112. Epub 2015 Feb 18. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015. PMID: 25695973 Free PMC article. No abstract available. - Are social norms and reciprocity necessary for early helping?
Warneken F. Warneken F. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015 Mar 10;112(10):E1052. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1423750112. Epub 2015 Feb 18. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2015. PMID: 25695974 Free PMC article. No abstract available.
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