title: The fulfillment of others' needs elevates children's body posture.
abstract: Much is known about young children's helping behavior, but little is known about the underlying motivations and emotions involved. In 2 studies we found that 2-year-old children showed positive emotions of similar magnitude-as measured by changes in their postural elevation using depth sensor imaging technology-after they achieved a goal for themselves and after they helped another person achieve her goal. Conversely, children's posture decreased in elevation when their actions did not result in a positive outcome. These results suggest that for young children, working for themselves and helping others are similarly rewarding. (PsycINFO Database Record
authors.affiliation: Department of Research Methods in Early Child Development, Faculty of Education, Leipzig University.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hepach
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Virginia.
authors.forename: Amrisha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vaish
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Duke University.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomasello
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D005149:Facial Expression; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010988:Play and Playthings; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology; D011581:Psychological Tests; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012919:Social Behavior