Kids from religious homes less altruistic than kids from atheist homes

[Morphine Prince 109,645]

A study found: 

Children who grew up in religious families are less altruistic than those who are up atheist, researchers have found.

They discovered children from religious families were less likely to share with others than were children from non-religious families.

Those from households identifying as Christian and Muslim were significantly less likely than children from non-religious households to share.

'Our findings contradict the common-sense and popular assumption that children from religious households are more altruistic and kind toward others,' said Professor Jean Decety of the university of Chicago, who led the study, which was published in Current Biology.

'In our study, kids from atheist and non-religious families were, in fact, more generous.' 

The team of developmental psychologists examined the perceptions and behaviour of children in six countries.

The study assessed the children's tendency to share—a measure of their altruism—and their inclination to judge and punish others for bad behaviour.

Children from religious families were less likely to share with others than were children from non-religious families. 

A religious upbringing also was associated with more punitive tendencies in response to anti-social behavior.

For the altruism task, children participated in a version of the 'Dictator Game,' in which they were given 10 stickers and provided an opportunity to share them with another unseen child. 

Altruism was measured by the average number of stickers shared.

For the moral sensitivity task, children watched short animations in which one character pushes or bumps another, either accidentally or purposefully. 

 After seeing each situation, children were asked about how mean the behaviour was and the amount of punishment the character deserved.

The results were at odds with the perceptions of religious parents, who were more likely than non-religious parents to report that their children had a high degree of empathy and sensitivity to the plight of others.

The study included 1,170 children between ages 5 and 12, from six countries—Canada, China, Jordan, South Africa, Turkey and the United States. 

But children from households identifying as Christian and Muslim were significantly less likely than children from non-religious households to share their stickers. 

Full study: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3307460/Does-growing-religious-family-make-MEAN-Christian-Muslim-children-altruistic-offspring-atheists.html#ixzz3r1FKCveo 
 

[Stephen 30,433]

Slay

[The Professor 1,060]

S-L-A-Y children 

I'm glad 1/3 of americans don't identify with a religion. 

[Gohan 16,849]

Interesting. Maybe their religion beliefs are the ones who make them be judgmental and discriminatory with kids like their age.

And that's ironic, because religions' first and main purpose is to love, appreciate and value your significant other more than yourself.

[VTV 13,873]

hope this doesnt get messy

[Melech 9,900]

2 religions out of how many? :smh:

[display name 4,360]

The researches took several variables into account, such as location and SES. The main effects were actually due to religiousness. Interesting. Also, the sample size is impressive for not being a meta-a--lysis.

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2015.09.056

[Morphine Prince 109,645]

7 minutes ago, Strigoi said:

I shared just fine thanks. Just another attempt to bash people's beliefs. When will this world co exist in peace and let people believe and be who they want?

Not really. This is a study that was conducted by developmental psychologists. It's pretty interesting imo. The norm is that people believe kids raised in religious homes have better "morals" (that's what I've heard people say). This study indicates something different. Of course faults can be found in the study, but interesting results nonetheless. This study isn't bashing or not letting people believe what they want. Just because you and I "shared just fine" doesn't mean studies regarding this topic can't be studied. If I was raised in a home where my parents smoked and I "shared just fine" it doesn't mean researches can't find evidence saying that second-hand smoking is detrimental to a child's health. I am religious and I've actually seen what the study found. Religious parents tend to transmit their prejudice beliefs to their children and this can affect social interactions between them and their peers. Atheist parents seem less likely to do this since they don't adhere to a particular belief system. 

[Dark Anatomy 2,284]

3 minutes ago, Morphine Prince said:

Not really. This is a study that was conducted by developmental psychologists. It's pretty interesting imo. The norm is that people believe kids raised in religious homes have better "morals" (that's what I've heard people say). This study indicates something different. Of course faults can be found in the study, but interesting results nonetheless. This study isn't bashing or not letting people believe what they want. Just because you and I "shared just fine" doesn't mean studies regarding this topic can't be studied. If I was raised in a home where my parents smoked and I "shared just fine" it doesn't mean researches can't find evidence saying that second-hand smoking is detrimental to a child's health. I am religious and I've actually seen what the study found. Religious parents tend to transmit their prejudice beliefs to their children and this can affect social interactions between them and their peers. Atheist parents seem less likely to do this since they don't adhere to a particular belief system. 

I gotta start waking up before I post. This is the second time today I didn't read the whole thread.

[ShockPop 7,747]

11 minutes ago, Strigoi said:

I shared just fine thanks. Just another attempt to bash people's beliefs. When will this world co exist in peace and let people believe and be who they want?

The sentiment that religion preaches: "peace, love, etc" is an empty one. It will never be that way for as long as religion exists. Religious teachings encourage selfishness, exclusion & ridicule of the weak and different. Look beyond it.

[MJHolland 12,725]

17 minutes ago, Strigoi said:

I shared just fine thanks. Just another attempt to bash people's beliefs. When will this world co exist in peace and let people believe and be who they want?

I like how you think scientific research is "bashing". Lulz... 

But it doesn't surprise me that a religious person is turning a blind eye to science, again.

[JDi 1,495]

Muslims are more altruistic than Christians, too. ha.

[JDi 1,495]

9 minutes ago, MJHolland said:

I like how you think scientific research is "bashing". Lulz... 

But it doesn't surprise me that a religious person is turning a blind eye to science, again.

you don't even need science, just to have lived among humans.

it's painfully obvious.

[Born To Slay 10,996]

7 minutes ago, JDi said:

you don't even need science, just to have lived among humans.

it's painfully obvious.

Not always. One of my best friends is extremely religious (she's a Jehovah's Witness and she takes that **** really seriously) and she's one of the nicest, most honest, loyal, trustworthy, empathetic and compassionate people I've ever met. It literally surprises me sometimes how few flaws she has in her character. And she's also, by far, the most devoutly religious person I know.

[JDi 1,495]

4 minutes ago, Born To Slay said:

Not always. One of my best friends is extremely religious (she's a Jehovah's Witness and she takes that **** really seriously) and she's one of the nicest, most honest, loyal, trustworthy, empathetic and compassionate people I've ever met. It literally surprises me sometimes how few flaws she has in her character. And she's also, by far, the most devoutly religious person I know.

well we're not talking law here. we're talking likeliness.

of course, there's all kinds of people. some religious people actually get it. like your friend.