Psychological Development and Education ›› 2015, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (6): 648-653.doi: 10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2015.06.02

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The Development of Children's Fair Behavior in Different Distribution Situations

LIANG Fucheng1, WANG Xinyi2, TANG Weihai3   

  1. 1. President Office, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China;
    2. Military psychology teaching and research section of Basic Department, Logistics University of People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin 300309, China;
    3. School of Educational Science, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China
  • Online:2015-11-15 Published:2015-11-15

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Abstract: To explore the development of children's fair behavior, the study presented four distribution situations. They were disadvantage game(2/2, 0/4) and(2/2, 1/3) in self task, advantage game(2/2, 4/0) and(2/2, 3/1) in self task, conflict game(0/4, 4/0) and(1/3, 3/1) in self task and(2/2, 0/4) and(2/2, 1/3) game in third-party task. This study selected four groups, namely, 4 year-old group, 6 year-old group, 8 year-old group and 10 year-old group, each containing 30 cases as participants. Children in self task were forced to choose one allocation solution for themselves and other anonymous child. Children in third-party task were forced to choose one allocation solution for another two anonymous children. It showed that:(1) the number of 4, 6, 8,10 year-old children who chose 2/2 fair option was respectively significantly more than 0/4 or 1/3 disadvantage option on disadvantage game of self task;(2) the number of 8 year-old and 10 year-old children who chose 2/2 fair option was respectively significantly more than 4/0 or 3/1 advantage option on advantage game of self task, but there was no significant difference for 4 and 6 year-old children;(3) the number of 4 and 6 year-old children who chose 4/0 or 3/1 self-interest option was respectively significantly more than 0/4 or 1/3 altruism option on conflict game of self task; but there was no significant difference for 8 and 10 year-old children;(4) the number of 8 and 10 year-old children who chose 2/2 fair option was significantly more than 0/4 or 1/3unfair option on the third-party task, but there was no significant difference for 4 and 6 year-old children. The present study demonstrated that 4 and 6 year-old children gave priority to self-interest consideration. When they made a decision for others, they did not adhere to the principle of fairness. Children as young as eight were at the turning point of acquiring the concept of fairness. 8 and 10 year-old children considered fair principle as criteria to make decisions and showed a tendency of altruism.

Key words: fairness, children, self task, third-party task

CLC Number: 

  • B844
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