Foundations of cooperation in young children

Kristina R. Olson; Elizabeth S. Spelke

doi:10.1016/j.cognition.2007.12.003

Foundations of cooperation in young children

Kristina R. Olson, Elizabeth S. Spelke

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

445 Scopus citations

Abstract

Observations and experiments show that human adults preferentially share resources with close relations, with people who have shared with them (reciprocity), and with people who have shared with others (indirect reciprocity). These tendencies are consistent with evolutionary theory but could also reflect the shaping effects of experience or instruction in complex, cooperative, and competitive societies. Here, we report evidence for these three tendencies in 3.5-year-old children, despite their limited experience with complex cooperative networks. Three pillars of mature cooperative behavior therefore appear to have roots extending deep into human development.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	222-231
Number of pages	10
Journal	Cognition
Volume	108
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2007.12.003
State	Published - Jul 2008
Externally published	Yes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Developmental and Educational Psychology
Cognitive Neuroscience
Language and Linguistics
Linguistics and Language

Keywords

Development
Indirect reciprocity
Kin preference
Reciprocal altruism
Social cognition

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10.1016/j.cognition.2007.12.003

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keywords = "Development, Indirect reciprocity, Kin preference, Reciprocal altruism, Social cognition",

author = "Olson, {Kristina R.} and Spelke, {Elizabeth S.}",

note = "Funding Information: The authors thank Virginia Borges, Jennifer Sullivan, and Samantha Waters for assistance in data collection. This research was supported by an NSF Fellowship to Kristina Olson and by NIH Grant HD23103 to Elizabeth Spelke.",

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AB - Observations and experiments show that human adults preferentially share resources with close relations, with people who have shared with them (reciprocity), and with people who have shared with others (indirect reciprocity). These tendencies are consistent with evolutionary theory but could also reflect the shaping effects of experience or instruction in complex, cooperative, and competitive societies. Here, we report evidence for these three tendencies in 3.5-year-old children, despite their limited experience with complex cooperative networks. Three pillars of mature cooperative behavior therefore appear to have roots extending deep into human development.

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Foundations of cooperation in young children

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Keywords

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