The neuropsychological basis of the evaluation of hierarchical relationships in children and its impact on social behaviors.

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K20156
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 90030:Cognitive science-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University (2021-2022); Doshisha University (2020)
• Principal Investigator: Xianwei Meng 大阪大学, 大学院人間科学研究科, 助教 (50861902)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 優位性関係 / 上下関係 / 乳幼児 / 認知発達

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we focused on the infancy and early childhood period, characterized by significant development of social cognitive abilities. We experimentally examined how infants and young children evaluate hierarchical relationships among others using various cues, and explored the impact of these evaluations on their own social lives. The study involved laboratory experiments with infants, field surveys targeting preschool children, and online surveys with adult participants. Several research outcomes were obtained, with some being published as papers in peer-reviewed international academic journals. The research results were also disseminated to the public through press releases and conference presentations.

Free Research Field

発達科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

組織や集団の安定における優位性関係の機能も社会学や進化生物学などで一貫して重要視されてきたが、優位性関係の評価を支える認知的・生物的基盤が発達 (人生) においてどのように形成されているか未だに不明である。本研究の遂行によって、乳児がすでに他者同士の優位性関係を評価しており、幼児になるとより高次な評価を行っていること、さらにそのような認知発達について大人は客観的に捉えられていないことなどが明らかになった。これらの研究成果は、ヒトの社会性の解明でもあり、「社会におけるヒトの在り方とは何か」という問いに新たな視座を与えるものとして期待される。