Children’s epistemic and interpersonal trust decisions for precise versus relative testimony

Abstract

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study is to examine young children’s (4- to 7-year-old) selective trust decisions in two different data sets; one was for selecting from whom to ask information and the other was for interpersonal trust decision where children encountered with two research assistants; one provided precise and the other provided relative testimonies for quantities, length, and weight. For epistemic trust, 52; and interpersonal trust, 51 children participated the study. Children in epistemic trust group responded three ask questions, children in interpersonal trust also responded three interpersonal trust questions. Results revealed that for epistemic trust children preferred significantly relative testimony over precise testimony. This preference did not change according to age and math level of children. Results did not reveal a significant difference for interpersonal trust questions. Practicing measurement in school might have increased children’s ability to evaluate the value of preciseness for selective trust decision making.