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Social preferences and lying aversion in children

Author

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  • Valeria Maggian

    (UNIMIB - Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca = University of Milano-Bicocca)

  • Marie Claire Villeval

    (GATE Lyon Saint-Étienne - Groupe d'Analyse et de Théorie Economique Lyon - Saint-Etienne - ENS de Lyon - École normale supérieure de Lyon - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - UCBL - Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 - Université de Lyon - UJM - Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Étienne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

While previous research has shown that social preferences develop in childhood, we study whether this development is accompanied by reduced use of deception when lies would harm others, and increased use of deception to benefit others. In a sample of children aged between 7 and 14, we find strong aversion to lying at all ages. Lying is driven mainly by selfish motives and envy. Children with stronger social preferences are less prone to deception, even when lying would benefit others at no monetary cost. Older children lie less than younger children and require more selfjustification to lie.

Suggested Citation

  • Valeria Maggian & Marie Claire Villeval, 2015. "Social preferences and lying aversion in children," Working Papers halshs-00924980, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:wpaper:halshs-00924980
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00924980v2
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Lie aversion; deception; social preferences; children; experiment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D03 - Microeconomics - - General - - - Behavioral Microeconomics: Underlying Principles
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement

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