Toddlers

Toddlers and infants demonstrate an ability not seen in many adults, the want to care for, and provide abetment for others. This instinct comes from the exercise of altruism, which releases the beneficial drugs; oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins, within the body. However, as mentioned previously this capacity does not last for very long after these young children begin to mature. In an experiment carried out by American developmental psychologist, Michael Tomasello, infant altruism was studied through a series of trials. To execute this experiment he placed children, all between 12 and 14 months, in a room. At the other end of this room a researcher entered, arms completely full, gesturing at a cabinet, insinuating that he needed to open the cabinet. Two trials followed, one involved putting obstacles on the floor, and the other involved putting desirable toys in the corner of the room. Consequently, all of these test had the same outcome, the toddlers tried to make their way over to the researcher to help him. Also,it was noted that none of the children looked to their parents for approval. The last trial involved two groups; thirty six, eighteen month old chimps, and thirty six, eighteen month old humans. Likewise, this trial also proved to have the same result. Given these points, it can be said that infants have the instinct to help, but that instinct is being
nurture. To explain, the capability to help is a trait that most individuals are born with, however, the need for help cultivates from the parenting the children are exposed to. I believe that if parents allowed their children to be more dependent, than the ability to want to help would not be as suppressed. This experiment proves that infants are born with the impulse to aid others because the babies did their best to assist the researcher, without looking to their parents for guidance or