Three-month-olds show a negativity bias in their social evaluations

Dev Sci. 2010 Nov;13(6):923-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-7687.2010.00951.x.

Abstract

Previous research has shown that 6-month-olds evaluate others on the basis of their social behaviors--they are attracted to prosocial individuals, and avoid antisocial individuals (Hamlin, Wynn & Bloom, 2007). The current studies investigate these capacities prior to 6 months of age. Results from two experiments indicate that even 3-month-old infants evaluate others based on their social behavior towards third parties, and that negative social information is developmentally privileged.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Attention
  • Child Development / physiology*
  • Discrimination, Psychological / physiology*
  • Fixation, Ocular / physiology
  • Habituation, Psychophysiologic
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Photic Stimulation
  • Social Behavior*