TODDLERS SENSITIVITY TO STANDARD VIOLATIONS

Young children's emerging sensitivity to standard violations has been postulated, but not systematically examined, as an important aspect of early morality. In this study, we observed 100 26-41-month-old toddle rs in contexts that involved standard violations. In one context, chil dren were shown flawed and whole objects. In the other context, they w ere led to believe they had damaged the examiners' valued possessions (''mishaps''). When presented with the flawed and whole objects, toddl ers expressed preference for the latter, but showed more interest in t he former, thus indicating that the whole-flawed quality was salient. Verbal and nonverbal reactions reflecting sensitivity to the whole-fla wed aspects were interrelated. Moreover, manifestations of sensitivity to flawed objects were associated with several behavioral and affecti ve responses during the contrived mishaps (acceptance of responsibilit y, apologies, focus on reparations, and distress). Thus, sensitivity t o standard violations in toddlerhood appeared to be a general phenomen on underlying different aspects of early morality.