title: Rethinking natural altruism: simple reciprocal interactions trigger children's benevolence.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 dweck@stanford.edu cortes@stanford.edu.
authors.forename: Rodolfo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cortes Barragan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305 dweck@stanford.edu cortes@stanford.edu.
authors.forename: Carol S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Dweck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000533:Altruism; D026686:Beneficence; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008297:Male; D002666:Psychology, Child / Q000379:methods; D012919:Social Behavior
keywords: altruism; morality; reciprocity; social development