Abstract

This study investigates a spontaneous preference for an equal distribution of resources. Toddlers are presented with real life events followed by a verbal test question. In the first experiment one of the distributors (the ‘equal’) gives one cherry to each receiver, while the other one (the ‘unequal’) gives both cherries to just one of the two receivers. In the second a distributor (the ‘equal’) gives one cherry to each receiver, and left one for himself, while the other (the ‘DI-unequal’) gives two cherries to one receiver and one cherry to another receiver, creating a state of disadvantageous inequity. In the third experiment a distributor (the ‘equal’) gives two cherries to each receiver over while the other (the ‘DI-unequal’) gives one cherry to each receiver and keeps two to themselves, creating a state of disadvantageous inequity where the distributor has more than receivers. Toddlers show a spontaneous preference for an equal distributor of resources versus an unequal distributor and insensitivity to the contents of the distributor’s basket.

Keywords: Distributive actions; Inequity aversion; Disadvantageous inequity; Moral development