Self‐control is negatively linked to prosociality in young children

Abstract

Human prosociality is a valuable but also deeply puzzling trait. While several studies suggest that prosociality is an impulsive behavior, others argue that self‐control is necessary to develop prosocial behaviors. Yet, prosociality and self‐control in children have rarely been studied jointly. Here, we measured self‐control (i.e., delay‐of‐gratification) and prosociality (i.e., giving in a dictator game) in 250 4‐ to 6‐year‐old French schoolchildren. Contrary to previous studies, we found a negative relationship between waiting in the delay‐of‐gratification task and giving in the dictator game. The effect was especially pronounced when the partner in the dictator game was unknown compared with giving in a dictator game where the partner was a friend. Our results suggest that self‐control is not always necessary to act prosocially. Future studies investigating whether and how such pattern develops across the lifespan and across cultures are warranted.