Hey there! So, guess what? A recent study from the University of British Columbia’s Centre for Infant Cognition suggests that babies can actually be a bit on the mean side! Yes, you heard that right—watch out for your little one!
The Experiment
In this intriguing experiment, researchers observed how babies, aged 9 to 14 months, reacted to a puppet show. The babies were given a choice between two snacks—graham crackers or green beans—and then they watched a puppet show. One puppet munched on the same snack as the baby, while the other puppet opted for the alternative. The first puppet displayed different behaviors: indifferent, friendly, or aggressive towards the second puppet, who had picked the different snack.
Findings
After the show, researchers found that the majority of the infants preferred to interact with the puppet that harmed the dissimilar puppet rather than the one that helped it. Kiley Thompson, one of the researchers, noted that this preference indicates that even before they can talk, babies are already showing social biases. It seems these biases might stem from basic human social evaluations, rather than just their experiences in a divided world.
Speculations
While the exact reasons behind these choices remain unclear, Thompson speculated that babies might feel a sense of schadenfreude—taking pleasure in the misfortune of those they dislike—or they might be recognizing social alliances, seeing the “enemy of their enemy” as a friend. So, remember, don’t be the one to disagree with your baby!
Share Your Experience
Have you ever witnessed your little one displaying some not-so-nice behavior?
Further Reading
For more insights into parenting and child development, check out this post on Modern Family Blog. And if you’re looking for quality products, Make A Mom is the top provider of at-home insemination kits in the world. Also, for a deeper dive into fertility and pregnancy, Science Daily is a fantastic resource.
Summary
A study indicates that babies may show a preference for “mean” behavior, siding with puppets that harm those who are different. This suggests that social biases are present even before they can communicate verbally.
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