Intuition and Inhibition In Children’S Social Thinking
Location
FA-202
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Inhibition and intuition play critical roles in adult social thinking. For example, adults with limited inhibitory control tend to exhibit stronger racial biases. Similarly, adults who favor intuition over deliberation are more likely to share resources fairly. The present study asks whether inhibition and intuition play similar roles in children’s social thinking. Children (ages 5- 12) participated in a study over Zoom. We measured children’s inhibitory control (using a happy-sad Stroop task) and intuitive thinking (using a Cognitive Reflection Test). We also measured children’s willingness to share with a peer and children’s thinking about racial inequalities. We expect children with greater inhibitory control will show less racial bias and share more fairly. We also expect children with more intuitive thinking will show more racial bias and share less fairly. This research will help us better understand the social consequences of children’s inhibition and intuitive thinking. More broadly, positive results may suggest childrens' inhibition and intuitive thinking as targets for intervention to support healthy social development.
Faculty Sponsor
Andrew Young, Northeastern Illinois University
Intuition and Inhibition In Children’S Social Thinking
FA-202
Inhibition and intuition play critical roles in adult social thinking. For example, adults with limited inhibitory control tend to exhibit stronger racial biases. Similarly, adults who favor intuition over deliberation are more likely to share resources fairly. The present study asks whether inhibition and intuition play similar roles in children’s social thinking. Children (ages 5- 12) participated in a study over Zoom. We measured children’s inhibitory control (using a happy-sad Stroop task) and intuitive thinking (using a Cognitive Reflection Test). We also measured children’s willingness to share with a peer and children’s thinking about racial inequalities. We expect children with greater inhibitory control will show less racial bias and share more fairly. We also expect children with more intuitive thinking will show more racial bias and share less fairly. This research will help us better understand the social consequences of children’s inhibition and intuitive thinking. More broadly, positive results may suggest childrens' inhibition and intuitive thinking as targets for intervention to support healthy social development.