ERIC Number: EJ1124389
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-Jan
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0012-1649
EISSN: N/A
The Fulfillment of Others' Needs Elevates Children's Body Posture
Hepach, Robert; Vaish, Amrisha; Tomasello, Michael
Developmental Psychology, v53 n1 p100-113 Jan 2017
Much is known about young children's helping behavior, but little is known about the underlying motivations and emotions involved. In 2 studies we found that 2-year-old children showed positive emotions of similar magnitude--as measured by changes in their postural elevation using depth sensor imaging technology--after they achieved a goal for themselves and after they helped another person achieve her goal. Conversely, children's posture decreased in elevation when their actions did not result in a positive outcome. These results suggest that for young children, working for themselves and helping others are similarly rewarding.
Descriptors: Young Children, Human Posture, Helping Relationship, Rewards, Motivation, Prosocial Behavior, Context Effect, Statistical Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A