Outcome Valence and Situational Constraints in the Responsibility Attributions of Children and Adults

Abstract

The development of moral responsibility was investigated in terms of both blameworthy and praiseworthy actions. Seventy-two persons from three age groups (5 years, 9 years, and adults) were administered vignettes portraying actors whose free or situationally constrained behavior produced either a positive or a negative outcome. The results indicated that acts leading to a negative outcome are discriminated and evaluated in an adult fashion before their positive counterparts. In addition, obedience is seen to be a factor that might influence behavior at an earlier age than the concept of reciprocity. These findings are interpreted in terms of Piaget's theory, and their implications for attribution research are emphasized.