Two‐year‐olds selectively seek help, but not based on helper maturity.
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| Title: | Two‐year‐olds selectively seek help, but not based on helper maturity. |
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| Authors: | Raport, Alexandra, Ipek, Canan, Park, Joanna, Moll, Henrike |
| Source: | British Journal of Developmental Psychology. Mar2025, Vol. 43 Issue 1, p174-189. 16p. |
| Subjects: | Emotion regulation, Logistic regression analysis, Help-seeking behavior, Social perception, Descriptive statistics, Social learning theory, Simulation methods in education, Data analysis software, Confidence intervals, Interpersonal relations, Problem solving in children |
| Abstract: | Help‐seeking is a strategy by which children signal their need for social learning. In three experiments, we examined when and from whom 2‐year‐old (N = 146 children; mean age = 31.4 months) US children from diverse ethnoracial and economic backgrounds (62% White; 9% Latine; 24% low‐income) seek help in problem‐solving contexts. In Experiment 1, children sought more help when unfamiliar (and thus unable to solve) than when familiar with a problem. In Experiment 2, children selectively sought help from knowledgeable as opposed to ignorant helpers. Against our prediction, children in neither experiment preferred mature (adult) over immature (infant or peer) helpers. In Experiment 3, children again did not prefer mature over immature helpers when helpers were depicted with realistic photos instead of line drawings (as in Experiments 1 and 2). We discuss the findings in relation to children's knowledge of their status as social learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of British Journal of Developmental Psychology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Help‐seeking is a strategy by which children signal their need for social learning. In three experiments, we examined when and from whom 2‐year‐old (N = 146 children; mean age = 31.4 months) US children from diverse ethnoracial and economic backgrounds (62% White; 9% Latine; 24% low‐income) seek help in problem‐solving contexts. In Experiment 1, children sought more help when unfamiliar (and thus unable to solve) than when familiar with a problem. In Experiment 2, children selectively sought help from knowledgeable as opposed to ignorant helpers. Against our prediction, children in neither experiment preferred mature (adult) over immature (infant or peer) helpers. In Experiment 3, children again did not prefer mature over immature helpers when helpers were depicted with realistic photos instead of line drawings (as in Experiments 1 and 2). We discuss the findings in relation to children's knowledge of their status as social learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 0261510X |
| DOI: | 10.1111/bjdp.12532 |
