Rethinking natural altruism: Simple reciprocal interactions trigger children’s benevolence

By Rodolfo Cortes Barragan and Carol S. Dweck, Department of Psychology, Stanford University; on PNAS.

From the 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.

"Significance":

This research showed that a very simple reciprocal activity elicited high degrees of altruism in 1- and 2-y-old children (as well as older children), whereas friendly but nonreciprocal activity did not. By doing so, it calls into question the current, dominant claim that young humans are naturally and spontaneously altruistic and that socialization cannot account for their altruistic actions. Beyond their scientific innovation, the findings can have important implications for adult–child interactions. Caregivers may engage in simple reciprocal activities that foster both the enactment of altruism in children and their expectation of altruism from others.

This post was motivated by this video wherein this paper was cited.

Edit: There is also this short divulgatory piece, FWIW.