Study Reveals Babies Under One Year Old Begin Practising Deception
New research suggests that infants may start practising deception before their first birthday, with skills developing significantly by the age of three. The study, based on interviews with 750 parents from the UK, US, Australia, and Canada, found that about a quarter of children at 10 months engage in early forms of deceit.
Early Deceptive Behaviours in Infants
Parents reported behaviours such as pretending not to hear instructions, hiding toys, or consuming forbidden foods out of sight. These actions represent rudimentary deception that does not require advanced language skills. Professor Elena Hoicka, lead author from the University of Bristol, noted that this challenges previous assumptions about deception being a sophisticated trait.
"It was fascinating to uncover how children's understanding and usage of deception evolves from a surprisingly young age and builds in their first years," said Hoicka. She emphasised that these early forms are often about avoiding consequences or gaining extra treats, rather than full-blown lies.
Evolution of Deception by Age Three
As children grow, their deceptive abilities become more complex. By the age of three, they engage in more creative fabrications, such as blaming ghosts for eating chocolate or withholding information to manipulate situations. This progression involves a deeper understanding of language and others' minds.
The study also highlighted that once children start deceiving, half of those identified had done something sneaky within the last day. From age two, deception tends to be action-based or involve simple verbal denials.
Insights from Animal Behaviour and Philosophy
The research drew parallels with animal behaviour, where species like chimpanzees and birds exhibit deception without verbal communication. This suggests that deceptive tendencies may have evolutionary roots. Professor Jennifer Saul, a co-author from the University of Waterloo, pointed out that philosophical studies on deception have traditionally overlooked children, missing this complexity.
Hoicka, a mother of three, shared personal anecdotes, such as children hiding under tables to eat sweets, illustrating how artful young ones can be. The findings aim to reassure parents and educators that deception is a normal part of toddler development, providing a guide to expected behaviours.
The study, published in the journal Cognitive Development, underscores the importance of understanding early childhood psychology to better support developmental milestones.
