Children's evaluations of reasonableness: Utilising a novel method of body posture
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: School of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Background
A unique human characteristic is our ability to monitor our own behaviour from the perspective of others and adjust accordingly (Tomasello, 2016). For instance, we tend to assist more if we are observed by others so that we are evaluated as kind/generous (Haley & Fessler, 2005). When we need help, we often consider whether our requests seem 'reasonable' or 'justified' to others to increase the likelihood of being helped, whilst lowering the prospect of being perceived as selfish/greedy.
This awareness of how others deem our actions is a milestone in children's socio-cognitive development (Tomasello, 2016). Research suggests that preschoolers are quite good at judging whether someone's requests are reasonable. However, research on children's evaluations of the reasonableness of their own interpersonal actions, especially when making requests, is notably sparse. There are some indicators as to when children are likely to consider how their actions are perceived by others, but not much is known about the emotions involved in these appraisals.
Methodology
One novel method to investigate emotion by measuring changes in their upper-body posture using Microsoft Kinect depth sensor imaging (Hepach et al., 2015).
Summary
This project will explore whether preschool children are able to consider how their actions might be perceived in various scenarios. We would like to explore whether/how children will be able to account for variables seen in social contexts (e.g., the characteristics of their requestees).
PhD Year 1: How costly is the request for the requestee?
An important avenue to pursue in terms of reasonableness is the costliness of requests. For instance, it is less justified to ask for a friend's last sweet than it is to ask for one immediately after the pack is opened. This study will therefore investigate whether 3- and 5-year-olds pay attention to their requestee's needs. 3- and 5-year-olds will carry out various tasks and will be asked to request items from another individual in the room. In the unjustified condition, the requester must request a pen from a requestee who has none to spare, whilst in the justified condition, the requestee possesses a surplus. It is predicted that children's body posture will shrink more in the unjustified condition.
PhD Year 2: Who does the request benefit?
This study investigates if children would feel less 'responsible' when making an unjustified request on behalf of another individual. Children will be asked to make an unjustified request and request a pen from a requestee who has none to spare. However, the requester will either be tasked with requesting an additional pen for themselves or for a peer who "wants" another pen. It is predicted that children's posture will shrink more when they make an unjustified request benefitting themselves, than when they make an unjustified request on behalf of another person.
PhD Year 3: Who is the requestee?
The final study considers whether children's posture changes when making requests depending on who their requestee is. One can argue that people are more careful about their requests with those whom we want to impress. Children will again be asked to make a variety of justified and unjustified requests. Prior to any requesting the child will hear some information about the requestee. The requestee will be presented as either someone who will later decide whether to share some of his/her stickers or as someone who has nothing to share. It is predicted that children's posture will shrink the most when voicing an unjustified request to a person who has resources to share.
Impact
Both academics and the public benefit from increased understanding of the development of reasonableness in children's navigation of the social world. Furthermore, it provides an additional avenue into children's reputation management.
A unique human characteristic is our ability to monitor our own behaviour from the perspective of others and adjust accordingly (Tomasello, 2016). For instance, we tend to assist more if we are observed by others so that we are evaluated as kind/generous (Haley & Fessler, 2005). When we need help, we often consider whether our requests seem 'reasonable' or 'justified' to others to increase the likelihood of being helped, whilst lowering the prospect of being perceived as selfish/greedy.
This awareness of how others deem our actions is a milestone in children's socio-cognitive development (Tomasello, 2016). Research suggests that preschoolers are quite good at judging whether someone's requests are reasonable. However, research on children's evaluations of the reasonableness of their own interpersonal actions, especially when making requests, is notably sparse. There are some indicators as to when children are likely to consider how their actions are perceived by others, but not much is known about the emotions involved in these appraisals.
Methodology
One novel method to investigate emotion by measuring changes in their upper-body posture using Microsoft Kinect depth sensor imaging (Hepach et al., 2015).
Summary
This project will explore whether preschool children are able to consider how their actions might be perceived in various scenarios. We would like to explore whether/how children will be able to account for variables seen in social contexts (e.g., the characteristics of their requestees).
PhD Year 1: How costly is the request for the requestee?
An important avenue to pursue in terms of reasonableness is the costliness of requests. For instance, it is less justified to ask for a friend's last sweet than it is to ask for one immediately after the pack is opened. This study will therefore investigate whether 3- and 5-year-olds pay attention to their requestee's needs. 3- and 5-year-olds will carry out various tasks and will be asked to request items from another individual in the room. In the unjustified condition, the requester must request a pen from a requestee who has none to spare, whilst in the justified condition, the requestee possesses a surplus. It is predicted that children's body posture will shrink more in the unjustified condition.
PhD Year 2: Who does the request benefit?
This study investigates if children would feel less 'responsible' when making an unjustified request on behalf of another individual. Children will be asked to make an unjustified request and request a pen from a requestee who has none to spare. However, the requester will either be tasked with requesting an additional pen for themselves or for a peer who "wants" another pen. It is predicted that children's posture will shrink more when they make an unjustified request benefitting themselves, than when they make an unjustified request on behalf of another person.
PhD Year 3: Who is the requestee?
The final study considers whether children's posture changes when making requests depending on who their requestee is. One can argue that people are more careful about their requests with those whom we want to impress. Children will again be asked to make a variety of justified and unjustified requests. Prior to any requesting the child will hear some information about the requestee. The requestee will be presented as either someone who will later decide whether to share some of his/her stickers or as someone who has nothing to share. It is predicted that children's posture will shrink the most when voicing an unjustified request to a person who has resources to share.
Impact
Both academics and the public benefit from increased understanding of the development of reasonableness in children's navigation of the social world. Furthermore, it provides an additional avenue into children's reputation management.
