Developmental Changes in Social-Moral Perception: Some Factors Affecting Children's Evaluations and Predictions of the Behavior of a “Transgressor”

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Abstract
Assuming that young children, unlike older persons, negatively evaluate both accidental and intentional transgressors, this investigation assesses developmentally related effects of the judge knowing conditions motivating the “transgressor” to enter situations and of the judge having more or less information about the “transgressor.” Twelve boys at each of three school grade levels (first, sixth, eighth) watched a TV playback of one of nine variations of situations wherein a boy broke some dishes. The videotaped sequences showed variations in intention (accidental-intentional), circumstances leading the boy to engage in the task of clearing away the dishes (offering favor—father angry—father makes unreasonable request), and number of action situations (three situations-one situation). The children judged the transgressor by locating him on a scale from extremely good to extremely bad and by predicting other morally related behaviors. Data were analyzed by analyses of variance. All independent variations had some effect in producing significant age-related variations on both dependent measures. Findings are interpreted as indication of developing skill in combining data to make an impression.