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Social evaluation by preverbal infants

Author

Listed:
  • J. Kiley Hamlin

    (Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8205, USA)

  • Karen Wynn

    (Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8205, USA)

  • Paul Bloom

    (Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8205, USA)

Abstract

Morality starts young The key to successful social interactions is the ability to assess others' intentions — be they friend or foe. A new study in 6- and 10-month-old infants shows that humans engage in social evaluations even earlier than was thought, before they can use language. The infants could evaluate actors on the basis of their social acts — they were drawn towards an individual who helps an unrelated third party to achieve his or her goal, and they avoided an individual who hinders a third party's efforts to achieve a goal. The findings support the claim that precursors to adult-like social evaluation are present even in babies. This skill could be a biological adaptation that may also serve as the foundation for moral thought and action later in life.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Kiley Hamlin & Karen Wynn & Paul Bloom, 2007. "Social evaluation by preverbal infants," Nature, Nature, vol. 450(7169), pages 557-559, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:450:y:2007:i:7169:d:10.1038_nature06288
    DOI: 10.1038/nature06288
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