Born good? Babies help unlock the origins of morality

Summary

This script explores the innate sense of morality in babies through experiments conducted in Yale's 'baby lab.' It delves into whether humans are born with a moral compass or if it's a construct of societal influence. The studies reveal that even three-month-olds show preferences for 'nice' characters over 'mean' ones, suggesting an inherent sense of justice. However, the research also uncovers biases, indicating a predisposition to favor those similar to us, which can lead to negative attitudes towards 'the other.' The findings suggest that while we may be born with a moral foundation, our environment and upbringing play crucial roles in shaping our ethical behavior.

Takeaways

• 🧐 The script explores the philosophical and moral question of whether humans are inherently good or if morality is learned through experience.
• 👶 It discusses the use of 'baby labs' to study the innate moral sense of infants, suggesting that babies may have a natural understanding of right and wrong.
• 📚 The script references the work of philosopher Rousseau and psychologist Karen Wynn, who challenges traditional views on infant cognition.
• 🎭 Experiments using puppet shows indicate that even five-month-old babies can distinguish between 'nice' and 'mean' behaviors and show preferences accordingly.
• 👀 Research shows that babies as young as three months old use visual attention to indicate preferences for characters they perceive as helpful.
• 📉 Studies published in 'Nature' and other peer-reviewed journals support the idea that babies have an innate sense of justice, as seen in their reactions to puppets' actions.
• 🤔 The script raises the question of the origin of evil in the world if babies are born with a moral compass, suggesting that societal influences may corrupt this innate sense.
• 🍪 The origins of bias are probed through experiments where babies show preferences for characters that share their snack choices, hinting at an innate tendency to favor similarity.
• 🚫 The darker side of morality is suggested in babies' apparent desire to see those who are different or unlike them treated badly, indicating a predisposition to form 'us vs. them' distinctions.
• 🧬 Paul Bloom suggests that the moral sense and biases observed in babies are likely a result of biological evolution and part of our universal human nature.
• 🌱 The script concludes that while we are born with certain moral instincts, culture and education play a crucial role in shaping our behavior and potentially mitigating negative tendencies.

Q & A

What is the central question explored in the 'baby lab' experiments?

The central question is whether human beings are inherently good, born with a sense of morality, or if they arrive as blank slates that need to be taught right from wrong.

What was the historical view of babies' cognitive abilities according to the script?

Historically, as mentioned by the philosopher Rousseau and agreed upon by the field, babies were considered 'perfect idiots, knowing nothing,' implying they were seen as incapable of complex thought or understanding.

How do researchers in the 'baby lab' study the moral understanding of infants?

Researchers use puppet shows to depict scenarios of nice and mean behavior, and then observe the infants' reactions, such as their gaze duration and physical reach towards the puppets, to infer their moral preferences.

What was the result of the experiment where babies were shown a puppet helping and another hindering?

More than three-quarters of the babies tested reached for the nice puppet, indicating a preference for characters that exhibited helpful behavior.

At what age did the researchers find that babies show a preference for nice people over mean people?

Babies as young as three months old showed a preference for nice people over mean people, as evidenced by their gaze duration.

What does the experiment with the ball thief and the puppet slamming the box suggest about babies' sense of justice?

The experiment suggests that babies view the ball thief as deserving punishment, as 81% of babies tested preferred the puppet who slammed the box shut on the thief.

What is the 'universal moral core' that Paul Bloom refers to in the script?

The 'universal moral core' refers to the innate sense of justice and understanding of right and wrong that all humans share, which is part of our biological nature.

How does the script address the origins of bias in human behavior?

The script suggests that the origins of bias can be traced back to infancy, where babies show preferences for those who are similar to them, even in trivial aspects like food preference.

What does the script imply about the relationship between our innate tendencies and societal influences?

The script implies that while we have innate tendencies towards selfishness and bias, societal influences such as culture and education can help temper these instincts and promote fairness and generosity.

How do the experiments with older children regarding token distribution reflect their developing sense of fairness?

The experiments show that as children get older, they increasingly choose the equal, fair option, and by the age of nine or ten, some even choose to give the other child more tokens, indicating a learned sense of generosity and fairness.

What does the script suggest about the persistence of our innate tendencies even after societal and educational influences?

The script suggests that while our innate tendencies can be moderated by society and education, they do not disappear entirely and can resurface under stress or adversity.