Is Morality Learned? Study Finds No Innate Moral Bias in Infants
For decades, scientists have debated whether morality is an innate human trait or something learned through social interaction and experience. A groundbreaking international study has now added significant weight to the argument that morality is not present from birth. By testing over 1,000 infants between the ages of 5.5 and 10.5 months, researchers discovered no consistent preference for prosocial behavior—a finding that challenges long-held assumptions about the innate moral instincts of young children. These results suggest that morality develops later in life, influenced by cognitive growth and environmental factors. This study not only redefines our understanding of infant psychology but also raises new questions about how moral reasoning evolves in early childhood.
How the study was conducted
According to Neuroscience News, over 1,000 infants aged 5.5 to 10.5 months participated in carefully controlled experiments. Researchers presented the infants with animated scenarios where one character helped another climb a hill, while another hindered the process. The scenarios were designed to be simple yet engaging, ensuring the infants paid attention.
After watching the scenarios, the infants were prompted to choose between the helper and hinderer characters. This choice was facilitated by placing physical representations of the characters (e.g., toys or 3D models) in front of the infants. The researchers then observed which character the infant reached for or gazed at the longest. These responses were interpreted as a preference, based on established methods in infant behavioral studies.
Importantly, the experiments were conducted in controlled environments, with researchers carefully monitoring the infants’ reactions to ensure no external cues influenced their decisions. For instance, some infants smiled or showed excitement toward one character, while others appeared hesitant or indifferent. The study also employed rigorous protocols to eliminate potential biases, such as ensuring that the order of character presentation was randomized. Additionally, the experimenters remained neutral and avoided influencing the infants’ decisions through facial expressions or tone of voice.
Despite earlier findings suggesting a preference for prosocial characters, this study revealed that infants’ choices were evenly split between helpers and hinderers. This outcome suggests that infants do not consistently prefer prosocial behavior at this early age.
The findings, published in the journal Developmental Science, highlight that there is no evidence supporting the concept of innate morality. According to Professor Markus Paulus, Chair of Developmental Psychology and Educational Psychology at LMU Munich, children under ten months of age lack the capacity to differentiate between good and bad actions.
Participating Institutions
This collaborative effort included contributions from several leading institutions, such as:
- LMU Munich (Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München): Markus Paulus Laboratory, PD Dr. Tobias Schuwerk)
- Ruhr University Bochum
- University of Göttingen
- Leipzig University
- TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology
- Max Planck Institutes for Human Development and Cognitive and Brain Sciences
Previous Research
Earlier studies suggested that infants as young as a few months old could recognize morally good actions and preferred helpful characters. These findings were considered evidence for innate morality. However, methodological critiques and inconsistent replication raised doubts, prompting this large-scale study.
What Makes This Study Unique?
Scale and Collaboration. The sheer scale of the study—testing over 1,000 infants—sets it apart. Additionally, the collaboration among 40 research teams ensures methodological rigor and reduces biases that might arise in smaller, single-lab studies.
Robust Replication Effort. Unlike earlier studies, this research directly addressed previous methodologies and tested them across diverse settings and populations, increasing the reliability of the findings.
Innovative Framework. The use of identical experimental setups across multiple labs ensured consistency, while the innovative global collaboration allowed for testing cultural and regional differences.
Key Findings of the Study
- No Preference for Prosocial Behavior: Infants showed no consistent preference for characters that helped others, challenging the belief in innate morality. For instance, one infant might reach enthusiastically for the hinderer character after appearing amused by its actions, while another might favor the helper due to an apparent interest in its movements.
- Development of Morality Occurs Later: The findings suggest that moral understanding likely develops beyond the first year of life, influenced by socialization and cognitive growth. For example, a toddler observing parents showing empathy toward a sibling might start imitating similar behaviors as their cognitive skills improve.
- Variability Among Infants: Individual differences in choices highlight that early moral preferences, if they exist, are not universal. For example, some infants might respond more strongly to the visual appeal of one character over another rather than its behavior.
- Implications for Parent-Child Interaction: Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in shaping moral understanding as infants grow older. For instance, parents who consistently reinforce the value of helping others during everyday interactions may encourage prosocial tendencies in their children.
- Contradiction to Previous Studies: The results starkly oppose earlier findings, prompting a reevaluation of methodologies used in prior research. For example, earlier studies might have unintentionally biased infants by using more engaging designs for prosocial characters.
Moral Understanding and Cognitive Development
Role of Cognitive Abilities. The study underscores the connection between moral understanding and cognitive development. Infants lack the ability to process abstract concepts like “helping” or “hindering.” As their brains mature, these abilities emerge, typically influenced by interactions with caregivers and peers.
For example, as language skills develop, children begin to understand and express concepts of fairness and kindness. A two-year-old may say, “That’s not nice!” when he sees another child taking his toy without permission, reflecting his growing moral understanding.
Neurodevelopmental Factors. Regions of the brain responsible for empathy and decision-making, such as the prefrontal cortex, are still underdeveloped in infants. This biological limitation likely explains the absence of consistent moral preferences. As children grow, the maturation of these brain areas enables them to engage in more complex moral reasoning.
For instance, studies show that older children are better at resolving moral dilemmas, such as deciding whether to share a treat with a friend or keep it for themselves. This progression highlights the interplay between neurodevelopment and moral behavior.
Significance for Science, Medicine, and Society
Scientific Impact. This research challenges a cornerstone of developmental psychology, prompting scientists to rethink assumptions about early moral development. It also emphasizes the importance of large-scale replication studies to validate findings.
Medical and Educational Implications. For pediatricians and educators, understanding that morality is learned rather than innate could inform strategies for early childhood education and intervention programs, focusing on fostering prosocial behavior.
Societal Relevance. The findings suggest that moral values are shaped by culture, environment, and socialization rather than biological predisposition. This highlights the role of parenting and societal influences in raising ethical individuals.
Conclusion: Rethinking Infant Morality
This landmark study has reshaped our understanding of morality in infancy, demonstrating that infants do not exhibit innate moral preferences. By emphasizing the importance of social and cognitive development, the findings open new avenues for research in developmental psychology and highlight the critical role of early environmental influences on moral learning.
If you want to track your child’s development and ensure they are progressing according to age-related milestones, consider using the BabyBright app by CogniFit. This tool provides parents with insights and activities to support cognitive and behavioral development, making it easier to monitor key growth stages.
