Kids behave better if they are self-aware

Being self-aware encourages young children to behave well.

This is the finding of Mrs Josephine Ross from the University of Stirling who presented her findings on Wednesday 3 September at the British Psychological Society’s Developmental Section Annual Conference at Oxford Brookes University.

Self-awareness makes us aware of how we appear to others, and so plays a major part in regulating our behaviour.

This study looked at whether young children’s behaviour (ages 3-4 years old) is also influenced by self-awareness. Thirty children took part in the experiment that asked them to play a guessing game on three occasions. The game involved guessing which animal had been placed inside a box. Children were given a clue to help them to guess, hearing a noise typically made by the animal. Half way through each game, a new animal was put in the box and the psychologist left the room instructing the child ‘not to look in the box whilst I am gone’.

On one occasion, to promote high self-awareness, the children played the game in front of a mirror and were referred to by name. On another, conditions were more neutral with the child referred to by name but with no mirror. On another, low self-awareness was encouraged by asking the children to wear a disguise and referring to them as ‘zookeeper’.

All the children cheated by looking in the box on at least one of the occasions they played the game. However, more children cheated under low self-awareness conditions (77%) than high self-awareness conditions (53%). Those who cheated during the low self-awareness condition were also faster to do so (29 seconds) than cheaters in the high self-awareness condition (48 seconds).

Josephine explained; ‘The differing levels of obedience suggested that self-awareness does influence young children’s behaviour. Like adults, young children regulate their own behaviour, aiming to act in a more socially acceptable way when self-aware.’

‘As care-givers and early educators know, children are on their best behaviour when being watched. This study suggests this rule applies even if the observer is the self.’

These papers are all being presented at The British Psychological Society’s Developmental Section Conference being held at Oxford Brookes University from 1- 3 September 2008.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joanna Colburn, Public Relations officer, British Psychological Society. Tel: 0116 2529904, email Joanna.colburn@bps.org.uk

Ref: PR1467