Priming third-party ostracism increases affiliative imitation in children
Over and Carpenter asked whether 5-year-old children, like adults, increase imitation after witnessing social exclusion. Children watched a video in which one shape was left out by a group of shapes, or a control video, and those who saw the exclusion video then imitated a model's actions more closely. The authors concluded that children are highly sensitive to social exclusion and adjust their social behaviour in response. Reading depth: abstract only; the only number used is the age of 5 years.
Over and Carpenter asked whether 5-year-old children, like adults, increase imitation after witnessing social exclusion. Children watched a video in which one shape was left out by a group of shapes, or a control video, and those who saw the exclusion video then imitated a model's actions more closely. The authors concluded that children are highly sensitive to social exclusion and adjust their social behaviour in response. Reading depth: abstract only; the only number used is the age of 5 years.
Written from the abstract (St Andrews research portal record), 2026-10-31.
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Over, H., & Carpenter, M. (2009). Priming third-party ostracism increases affiliative imitation in children. Developmental Science, 12(3), F1-F8. doi:10.1111/j.1467-7687.2008.00820.x https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7687.2008.00820.x