Three- to 8-Year-Old Children’s Trading-Off Among Contribution, Effort and Talent

Abstract

Abstract: The present study used the resource distribution paradigm and presented a story contained three characters who were differentiated in contribution, effort and competence. Three- to 4-year-old, 5- to 6-year-old, and 7- to 8-year-old children participated the study (n=110). Children were asked to distribute some resources to the three characters and justify their distributions. Results showed that children of all age groups preferred to distribute resources equally among the recipients. In comparison, 3- to 4-year-old children distributed more resources to the child who contributed most, while 7- to 8-year-old children gave the most to the one who worked hardest. Children seldom distributed resources according to individual’s competence. As becoming older, children’s distribution depended less on contribution, but more on effort, suggesting the development of children’s understanding of fairness principles.

Key words: resource distribution, contribution, effort, fair behavior

摘要： 研究选取3～4岁、5～6岁和7～8岁儿童，考察儿童在分配资源时对贡献、努力和能力因素的权衡，采用资源分配范式和在以上三维度上不同的人物故事情境。结果发现，各年龄儿童均最偏爱平等分配，相比之下，3～4岁儿童倾向分给贡献最大的个体最多的资源，7～8岁儿童则分给最努力的个体更多资源。儿童均较少按能力进行分配。随着年龄发展，儿童对贡献原则赋予的权重逐渐减弱，对个体努力的认可度逐渐增强，显示出儿童分配原则的发展变化。

关键词: 资源分配, 贡献, 努力, 公平行为

CLC Number:

B844

XU Xiaohui, AN Jing, ZHU Liqi. Three- to 8-Year-Old Children’s Trading-Off Among Contribution, Effort and Talent[J]. Studies of Psychology and Behavior, 2021, 19(1): 30-36.

徐晓惠, 安静, 朱莉琪. 3～8岁儿童对资源分配中贡献、努力和能力因素的权衡[J]. 心理与行为研究, 2021, 19(1): 30-36.

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