2007-2009

This project examines the understanding of self-presentational behaviour -- behaviour that is designed to shape the way one is seen by other people -- in young children between 4 and 8 years of age.  We are particularly interested in finding out how children  come to understand how one can use certain strategies after a rule violation in order to maintain a positive public face. 

Key questions include:

• When do children start to use and understand strategies for changing what other people think about them (e.g., apologies, excuses) after they have violated a rule?
• Does this kind of understanding develop differently for cases where the child has broken a social convention (e.g., dyeing your hair green) or where the child has broken a moral rule (e.g., hurting someone else)?
• Is self-focused attention responsible for driving children's self-presentational behaviour?

The project is funded by ESRC, and the research study is led by Dr Robin Banerjee in the Department of Psychology at the University of Sussex, and Professor Mark Bennett in the Department of Psychology at the University of Dundee.  The Research Assistant responsible for the day to day running of the project is Nikki Luke. 

The project came to an end in August 2009, after successful completion of all planned studies. A brief summary of each study is available (see below), and a final report on the research will also be placed on this website in due course.

Summary of research studies

• Children's reasoning about hypothetical rule violations (study completed)
• Children's own experiences of breaking rules (study completed)
• Children's beliefs about the impact of using apologies and excuses (study completed)
• Children's responses to manipulations that heighten self-focused attention (studies completed)