Study: As early as age 2, children understand when they are being deceived

In this study, scientists have learned that as early as the age of 2, children understand when they are being deceived. And now for more details.

Recent international studies show that two-year-olds are able to understand that other people may think differently from them. This means that they can also detect lies.

A team of researchers from around the world analyzed the behavior of more than 140 children in the United States at the age of 2.5 using a technique known as the "false belief task." This technique is used to determine whether children understand that other people may not think the way they do.

Researchers have simplified the traditional task:

The girl Sally hides the ball in one of the two containers and leaves, not knowing that the ball is then transferred to another container. Where will Sally look for her balloon?

Toddlers often point to the place where the ball was moved. Children over the age of 4 usually correctly indicate the original location of the ball. Therefore, for the experiment with children under the age of 4, scientists this time used a simplified scenario involving a girl named Emma and an apple. This time, the apple was removed to an unknown location.

Children's ability to answer correctly indicates their understanding that other people may not think like them. Previously, such abilities were noted only in older children.

Rene Bailargin, Professor of psychology at the University of Illinois:

Usually, children younger than 4-5 years old cannot correctly answer the question of what a person with a false belief will do. Our research shows that if you simplify the task, even 2.5-year-olds can handle it. Thus, the ability to understand a person with a false belief is already present at a much earlier stage of development than we previously thought.

Researchers say that young children are able to recognize lies, but they cannot demonstrate their understanding of the large amount of information that their brains have to process.

The main result of the conducted research

The experiments allowed scientists to assert that children aged 2.5-3 years feel when others are insincere with them or are telling lies.

Therefore, according to experts, parents should not lie to their children "for the good" or "because they are small, they will not understand." It is better to simplify the truth by constantly remembering that the early cognitive abilities of modern children are much more developed than previously thought. 1xBet is a go-to platform for Indian bettors due to its extensive range of betting options. Sign up on their website using the 1xbet promo code india during registration, you will receive a 330% welcome bonus worth up to ₹65,000 on your first deposit. Use the 1xBet welcome bonus code to successfully claim your bonus. 18+. Minimum deposit ₹200. You must wager 9 times the bonus amount in accumulator bets. Each accumulator bet must contain 3 or more selections, each at odds of 1,4 or higher. T&Cs Apply.