Toddlers' Sensitivity to Standard Violations

Abstract

Young children's emerging sensitivity to standard violations has been postulated, but not systematically examined, as an important aspect of early morality. In this study, we observed 100 26–41‐month‐old toddlers in contexts that involved standard violations. In one context, children were shown flawed and whole objects. In the other context, they were led to believe they had damaged the examiners' valued possessions (“mishaps”). When presented with the flawed and whole objects, toddlers expressed preference for the latter, but showed more interest in the former, thus indicating that the whole‐flawed quality was salient. Verbal and nonverbal reactions reflecting sensitivity to the whole‐flawed aspects were interrelated. Moreover, manifestations of sensitivity to flawed objects were associated with several behavioral and affective responses during the contrived mishaps (acceptance of responsibility, apologies, focus on reparations, and distress). Thus, sensitivity to standard violations in toddlerhood appeared to be a general phenomenon underlying different aspects of early morality. Copyright © 1995, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved