Normative views and resource distribution behavior in childhood: Dissociated at the group level, but associated at the individual level

Christner, Natalie ; Wörle, Monika and Paulus, Markus (2022): Normative views and resource distribution behavior in childhood: Dissociated at the group level, but associated at the individual level. In: International Journal of Behavioral Development, Vol. 46, No. 4: pp. 320-332

Abstract

Previous research debated whether and to which extent normative views and own resource distribution behavior in childhood are dissociated or aligned. The present study aims to advance this debate by examining the relation from two different methodological viewpoints within the same study. Here, 4–6-year-old children’s (N = 91) normative views and distribution behavior when confronted with a rich friend and a poor non-friend were assessed. Children’s spontaneous protest and affirmation toward distributors, evaluations, and punishment judgments served as normative indicators. Looking at average normative views and behavior, preschoolers held a normative view toward rectifying inequalities while favoring the rich friend themselves. Looking at the consistency of interindividual differences, preschooler’s normative view correlated with behavior. The study highlights that the relation between normative views and behavior is characterized by both dissociation and coherence.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Psychology and Education Science > Department Psychology
• Subjects: 100 Philosophy and Psychology > 150 Psychology
• ISSN: 0165-0254
• Language: English