Dynamics of heart activities during moral dilemmas solving by children 4—11 years old

Abstract

The goal of the present research was to investigate psychophysiological bases of moral dilemmas solving by children. We assessed the heart rhythm of Russian children aged 4—11 (N=75) during interview, solving moral dilemmas, and subsequent questionnaires. We compared data of two age group: 4—7 years old and 8—11 years old. The task of moral dilemma was to choose who would take a resource: an in-group member (resource is needed for an optional benefit) or an out-group member (resource is needed for survival). questionnaires. There was a significant decrease of heart rate moral decisions in younger children (4—7 years old). There was no differences of heart rate moral decisions in elder children (8—11 years old). We speculate that younger children have no mismatch during decision making due to scarcity of their new experience. They do not have to activate the adaptation processes during moral dilemmas solving. The results are discussed from the position of the system evolutionary approach and the notions of changes in heart rate variability as an indicator of adaptation processes.

The subject of behavior and dynamics of its states

“…The subject of behavior state in the implementation of later formed behavior (decision in favor of "stranger") is characterized by a pronounced "intersystem mismatch", which is manifested in a greater value of the index of vegetative balance in children, who more often side with a "stranger" than in children, who more often side with their "friend". Probably, this mismatch reflects the processes of learning and exists due to the implementation of the newly formed behavior, provided by the actualization of systems of different age, aimed at achieving previously agreed goals [53]. It can be assumed that an important role in the actual subject of behavior state is played by conscious control of one's own behavior, i.e.…”