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Study Shows Babies Try to Help

B

Brutuskend

Lifer
Study Shows Babies Try to Help
By LAURAN NEERGAARD, AP Medical Writer
41 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Any parent can relate tales of a wobbly toddler's endearing desire to help out. Now scientists have documented it, in a study suggesting that the capacity for altruism emerges as early as 18 months of age.

It was a simple experiment to illustrate fairly sophisticated brain development: Tots watched as psychology researcher Felix Warneken did ordinary tasks, such as using clothespins to hang some towels.

Oops, he dropped a clothespin. Video shows one overall-clad baby glancing between Warneken's face and the dropped pin before quickly crawling over, grabbing the object, pushing up to his feet and eagerly handing back the pin.

Warneken never asked for the help and didn't even say "thank you," so as not to taint the research by training youngsters to expect praise if they helped. After all, altruism means helping with no expectation of anything in return.

Full story
 
Good lord. Somebody paid for this? They could have been at my house and paid me money and I could have freaking told them this! It even seems like my 6-month old daughter tries to help!
 
Wow, that is very interesting.
I wonder if it has something to do with trying to please their parents too?
I knew that they did that... little kids always want to help clean, wash dishes, etc but i didnt know at that young of an age.
 
Haha! I love this bit:
No other animal is as altruistic as humans are. We donate to charity, recycle for the environment, give up a prime subway seat to the elderly _ tasks that seldom bring a tangible return beyond a sense of gratification.
Click to expand...

When was the last time you saw an animal with a bank account or riding the subway? 😉
 
Originally posted by: LolaWiz
I wonder if it has something to do with trying to please their parents too?
Click to expand...

could be but Felix Warneken (the researcher) wasn't the parent of the tot so it's more than just that.

Originally posted by: Queasy
Haha! I love this bit:
No other animal is as altruistic as humans are. We donate to charity, recycle for the environment, give up a prime subway seat to the elderly _ tasks that seldom bring a tangible return beyond a sense of gratification.
Click to expand...

When was the last time you saw an animal with a bank account or riding the subway? 😉
Click to expand...

lol, got 'em 😉

good find OP...this somewhat explains why when a baby has something in their hand and you stick your hand out, they try giving it to you. they think you need it...just makes them all the more cuter
 
yeah, now he needs to study how long before that altruism stops and selfishness takes over. Kids learn very fast the "what's in it for me" attitude.
 
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