Preschoolers Expose Hypocrites. Findings from SWPS University

illustration: DALL-E

For the human species, creating lasting relationships, knowing who is worth cooperating with and who to avoid, is valuable. Evolution has equipped us with skills that enable us to assess the moral actions of others. One element of such an assessment may be determining how likely it is that someone will deceive us. This approach implies that people who declare themselves moral and then act differently - may pose a threat.

Studies conducted on adults have shown that people who exhibit moral hypocrisy, that is, people who not only act immorally, but also in a way that contradicts what they declare, are judged as worse than people who are immoral but honest about it. Many studies indicate that such hypocrites are judged worse than people whose behaviour does not contradict their declared opinions, being perceived as deceitful and untrustworthy.

Scientists have long observed that children are particularly sensitive to immoral behaviour in others and prefer pro-social attitudes. However, few studies determine whether children are able to recognize moral hypocrisy and how it affects their judgment, which is why scientists from SWPS University decided to look into this issue. They conducted three experiments as part of the study, and published their results in the journal Developmental Science.

The scientists worked with children aged 4-6. In one experiment, preschoolers watched a video featuring animal-shaped puppets, one of which was building a tower of blocks and the other would then destroy it. One of the puppets represented an attitude of moral hypocrisy, and thus seemingly followed moral norms, but its behaviour contradicted this.

By switching roles in the scenes, the scientists were able to confirm the hypotheses: children assessed hypocrites more negatively than characters who simply behaved inappropriately by destroying buildings, and what`s more - the assessment of the entire event involving the former was more negative.

The experiment confirmed that children distinguish hypocrites from other people and, like adults, assess them more negatively. The second experiment showed, in turn, that hypocrites are perceived as worse due to the contradictory signals they send to their surroundings.

The work of scientists from USWPS contributes new knowledge to research on human morality, including the theory of moral hypocrisy.

– It is also crucial to understand the significance of negative assessment of such people in the context of undertaking cooperation. Moral hypocrisy threatens group work by undermining trust. In addition, hypocrites who send misleading signals disrupt the integrity of the group, which is essential for cooperation – explained Katarzyna Myślińska-Szarek, PhD, from the Faculty of Psychology in Sopot at SWPS University, who conducted the research together with Wiesław Baryła, PhD, a professor at SWPS University.


The researchers point out that it is worth looking at the results of the experiments more broadly, e.g. in terms of building social trust. Early detection of hypocrisy may be an important cognitive function, enabling children to better distinguish between trustworthy and untrustworthy people in their environment. Similar sensitivity may result from the need to accurately recognize allies.

The scientists conclude that authenticity and consistency in moral education of the youngest children are also very important, and caregivers should be mindful of their actions being consistent with their declarations, because - as it turns out - children are discerning observers of moral integrity.

source: PAP Nauka w Polsce