A study has found that preschool children who display fearless behaviour tend to be more aggressive. Researchers also discovered these traits appear to be passed on from parent to child.
The study involved 80 children aged 3-4 years old. Parents and teachers took note of each child’s level of fearlessness throughout the school year as well as their attitudes towards their peer group. The results showed a correlation between fearless behaviour and particular social characteristics, with fearless children not only displaying less empathy but also having difficulty identifying facial expressions of fear. They had no problem, however, deciphering other emotions such as anger and happiness.
Dr Kivenson- Baron, the main researcher, says: “Since fearless behaviour correlates with genetic and neurological characteristics, it is important to find the most effective ways - through education at the preschool and at home - to assist these children in developing the ability to recognize and value social prohibitions.’
Dr Kivenson believes that as a society we must decipher which aspects of a child’s surroundings have positive effects on behaviour. There may be some environmental factors that prevent aggression and awaken emotions which are necessary for the development of empathy towards others.
The study could help to identify methods which prevent children from displaying antisocial behaviour as they grow up and throughout adulthood. This in turn could limit the amount of crime associated with anti social behaviour and curtail the damaging effects of the so-called ASBO culture.
Images: lightning courtesy of Krister; scared child from D Sharon Pruitt. Both from Wikimedia Commons.
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