Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/89935 
Year of Publication: 
2013
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 7857
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
While previous research has shown that social preferences develop in childhood, we study whether this development is accompanied by reduced use of deception when lies would harm others, and increased use of deception to benefit others. In a sample of children aged between 7 and 14, we find strong aversion to lying at all ages. Lying is driven mainly by selfish motives and envy. Children with stronger social preferences are less prone to deception, even when lying would benefit others at no monetary cost. Older children lie less than younger children and require more self-justification to lie.
Subjects: 
lie aversion
deception
social preferences
children
experiment
JEL: 
C91
D03
D63
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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