Impact of decision-making autonomy and social distance on young Chinese children's sharing behaviour

Abstract

This research explores how decision-making autonomy and social distance impact young children's sharing behaviour. In Study 1, findings from 159 Chinese children (total N = 159, 72 boys, aged 3–6 years) revealed that children aged 5–6 exhibited significantly more sharing behaviours in the controlled condition, however 3–4 years-olds showed no variance between the two conditions, indicating that the impact of decision-making autonomy on sharing behaviour surfaces around the age of 5–6 years. Study 2 examined the effects of social distance and decision-making autonomy on sharing behaviours among Chinese children aged 5–6 years (total N = 57, 29 boys). Results showed that irrespective of the decision-making condition, children in this age group exhibited a greater tendency to share with close friends. Furthermore, the controlled condition intensified this effect. These findings suggest that the perceived sense of autonomy among Chinese children aged 5–6 when deciding to share may not be as stable as expected, with social distance playing a pivotal role in guiding their sharing decisions. This study enhances our comprehension of how decision-making autonomy and social factors shape young children's prosocial behaviour, underscoring the significant role of social context in influencing sharing behaviours during childhood development.