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Research Exploration Assignment
Latoya Venable
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
PSYC 210: Developmental Psychology
Professor Fluty
April 5, 2025
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Why was this article written?
As a parent you will notice that in the first few years of your child’s life their growth
increases rapidly and during that time their minds are still developing. Author J. Kiley Hamlin
study is focused on moral judgment and action in preverbal infants and toddlers. Hamlin
explores how preverbal infants and toddlers may have the ability to be able to distinguish right
or wrong without needing to be taught (Hamlin, 2013). In the article the author explains how at
birth infants show emotional reactions to others suffering (Martin & Clark 1982; Sagi &
Hoffman, 1976). As they are growing, they are sharing more emotional responses with many
ongoing prosocial behaviors by bringing people joy and helping them reach their goals.
What is the main idea of the article?
The author J. Kiley Hamlin explains how the concept of moral standards was closely
examined in preverbal infants and toddlers. Her research applies that the human characteristics
of right and wrong are inherent in human nature. The children can make basic moral judgments
and engage in helpful behaviors on their own. The author justifies that there is evidence in the
study showing humans are born knowing right from wrong before social and cultural influences.
To whom would this article be relevant?
This research can help benefit researchers and psychology students because it can allow
them to see that moral judgment can start at childbirth and not through watching other actions
and behaviors. Others that can benefit from the article are educators such as daycares or
schools and parents. Allowing the educators to develop age efficient, educational programs that
they can benefit from. Professionals in the field of child development, development psychology
(Hamlin, 2013) The author’s study can help parents get a better understanding of their child’s
moral growth.
Interesting quote from this article
“Although there are considerable cross-cultural differences regarding which actions are
considered obligatory, permissible, or forbidden, and a wide variety of prescribed responses to
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violations across societies, all normally developing adults in all cultures have the basic notion
that some things are right and others are wrong (Brown, 1991”).
Shareable content from the article
Research shows that even before children can speak, they can express good and bad
even when they have not been socially or physically taught, but by watching. Preverbal infants
show interest in those that are helpful to others, evaluating others on their intensions (Hamlin,
2013).
Biblical concept related to the article
Proverbs 22:6 KJV -Train up child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not
depart from it. I believe there is a connection because influence, surroundings, social
environment, and cognitive influence all play apart in early childhood development. As children
and their minds continue to develop, today parents will continue to raise their children how
they were raised or better. Being spiritual at a young age can help be a spiritual influence in the
future, another way at sharing the gospel.
References
Bible Gateway. (2011). Proverbs 22:6 KJV - - Bible Gateway. Www.biblegateway.com.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs%2022%3A6&version=KJV
Brown, D. E. (1991). Human universals. Mcgraw-Hill.
Cashion, V. (2019). LIFESPAN 360 : christian perspectives on human development. Kendall
Hunt.
Hamlin, J. K. (2013). Moral judgment and action in preverbal infants and toddlers: Evidence for
an innate moral core. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 22(3), 186–193.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721412470687
Martin, G. B., & Clark, R. D. (1982). Distress crying in neonates: Species and peer specificity.
Developmental Psychology, 18(1), 3–9. https://doi.org/10.1037//0012-
1649.18.1.3
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Sagi, A., & Hoffman, M. L. (1976). Empathic distress in the newborn. Developmental
Psychology, 12(2), 175–176. https://doi.org/10.1037//0012-1649.12.2.175
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