Negative descriptive norms can influence young children's generosity even when positive descriptive norms do not
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Norms shape social behavior starting early in development. However, little is known about what makes norm information effective in guiding children's behavior. This research addresses this gap through 3 preregistered studies examining descriptive norms about generosity. Five-year-old children (N = 328, Mage = 67.41 months, 163 girls; middle-class Han Chinese, collected 2024-2025) decided whether to give an extra sticker to another child. Results show that negative descriptive norms (highlighting what is typically not done) are more effective than positive descriptive norms (highlighting what is typically done) in promoting prosocial behavior. These findings suggest that emphasizing atypical behavior can enhance generosity in children. More broadly, they demonstrate that how norms are framed plays a key role in shaping early social decision-making.
Source: Child Development
Authors: Li Zhao, Yiming He, Gail D Heyman
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,320
OpenAlex ID: W7128398312