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[novapsyche]

The Purest Cynics are in Kindergarten

Cynicism takes hold early in humans, if you believe a new study from Yale.

[...] The study involved 20 children each in kindergarten, second grade and fourth grade. They were told short stories in which the characters made statements that were in their best self-interest in competitive situations.

Outright lies were generally recognized by all the children. But when the statement could affect the outcome of a close contest, the second graders, compared to the younger children, exhibited more savvy in recognizing cases in which self-interest might also involve inaccurate claims.

"As adults, we recognize that a person's self-interests, such as their desire to win recognition or fit in with their peers, can influence what they say and believe about the world," said Candice Mills, a graduate student in the Department of Psychology who worked on the study. "Our research shows that children may be more gullible than adults, but the seeds of doubt are also present from an early age and develop dramatically in the elementary school years."

Comments

[kali-ma.livejournal.com]

My stepdaughter brought home an assignment from school once, about when you should use your manners. Her response was "when I want something". :))