Retribution and utilitarianism as motives for children’s third-party punishment: An information-seeking approach.

Abstract

Recent research indicates that children's motivation for third-party punishment encompasses both retributive and utilitarian considerations. However, the relative weights of different motives and the information used to determine their punishment are yet unclear. In the present research, we address these two questions by analyzing how children seek information when making decisions about punishment. Specifically, we examine to what extent children's punishment is motivated by retribution (evening out the harm caused), special prevention (preventing recidivism of offenders), and general prevention (preventing imitation of others). Children around the age of 11 (N = 69) were asked to select from information provided about two misbehaviors before indicating a punishment. The results reveal that children give priority to information associated with retribution when determining their punishment, followed by considerations for special and general prevention.