A Study by Corriveau and Harris (2009) Found 3-Year-Olds Preferred

question 14

Multiple Choice

A study by Corriveau and Harris (2009) found 3-year-olds preferred to side with family members (familiarity) in an object-naming experiment, even if the family member was wrong. Comparatively, older children as young as 4 were more willing to disagree with familiar caregivers and favored someone who provided accurate information to them. What could explain this phenomenon?

• A) Younger children have not developed object permanence.
• B) Toddlers are encouraged and expected to agree with parents.
• C) Older children understand that their own knowledge is more reliable.
• D) Older children can weigh reliability against familiarity
• E) Toddlers have yet to develop trustworthiness issues.

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Definitions:

Dominance Hierarchy

The organization of individuals in a group that occurs when competition for resources leads to a ranking of individuals by dominance.

Genetic Capacity

The inherent potential within an organism's genetic material (DNA) to exhibit certain traits or to adapt to environmental changes.

Imprinting

A rapid learning process occurring early in the life of a social animal, in which it forms attachments and develops a concept of its social identity.