The Early Emergence of Guilt‐Motivated Prosocial Behavior. Issue 6 (7th November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Vaish, Amrisha; Carpenter, Malinda; Tomasello, Michael
• Is Part Of: Child development. Volume 87:Issue 6(2016:Nov./Dec.)
• Page Start: 1772
• Page End: 1782
• Publication Date: 2016-11-07
• Subjects: Child development -- Periodicals; Child psychology -- Periodicals; Child Development -- Periodicals; Child Development; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Pedicatrics; 305.231
• DOI: 10.1111/cdev.12628
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0009-3920

Abstract

Abstract : Guilt serves vital prosocial functions: It motivates transgressors to make amends, thus restoring damaged relationships. Previous developmental research on guilt has not clearly distinguished it from sympathy for a victim or a tendency to repair damage in general. The authors tested 2‐ and 3‐year‐old children ( N = 62 and 64, respectively) in a 2 × 2 design, varying whether or not a mishap caused harm to someone and whether children themselves caused that mishap. Three‐year‐olds showed greatest reparative behavior when they had caused the mishap and it caused harm, thus showing a specific effect of guilt. Two‐year‐olds repaired more whenever harm was caused, no matter by whom, thus showing only an effect of sympathy. Guilt as a distinct motivator of prosocial behavior thus emerges by at least 3 years.