Two studies investigated whether young children are selectively prosocial toward others, based on the others' moral behaviors. In Study 1 (N = 54), 3-year-olds watched 1 adult (the actor) harming or helping another adult. Children subsequently helped the harmful actor less often than a third (previously neutral) adult, but helped the helpful and…

Compared the behavioral prediction and moral judgment of 72 preschoolers and 24 college students. Found that most participants of all ages made categorical judgments of act acceptability based solely on outcome. When assigning punishment, many 3-year-olds used a simple intention or outcome rule, whereas older participants were more likely to use a…

Investigated 3-, 5-, and 7-year-olds' and adults' integration of information about intentions, acts, and outcomes in moral judgments of psychological harm. Found that participants at all ages judged it wrong to inflict fear or embarrassment on unwilling participants. Younger children tended to use outcome rules when assigning punishment; older…