About this srcd poster session

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Panel information
Panel 8. Education, Schooling

Abstract

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Introduction
The development of people's abilities primarily stems from talent and effort. Previous studies have shown that, compared to effort, people have a natural preference for talent. However, some research emphasized that effort is a crucial factor in attaining success. The different perspectives on talent and effort, particularly among children who are developing, can significantly influence views about ability development of them. Based on China's unique cultural emphasis on effort, this study examined the general preference of children aged 5 to 11 regarding talent versus effort, as well as their multidimensional social preferences (cooperation, interaction, trust, and distribution). Meanwhile, focused on children's stereotypes (warmth, competence, and morality) about individuals who are talents or strivers and further explored the potentially complex relationships between preference and stereotypes.
Methods
In mid-June 2024, a total of 221 Chinese children aged 5 to 11 (114 girls, Mage = 8.39 years, Age range: 5.06 to 11.99 years) were recruited from an elementary school and a kindergarten in central Henan Province, China, to participate in a laboratory-based experimental study. The participants listened to self-introductions from two protagonists who matched their age and gender, with the content focusing on either talent or effort. Subsequently, the children made preference judgments and assessed stereotypes regarding the two protagonists.
Results
·As children grow older, their preferences shift from prefering talent to prefering striver and similar trends are observed in other social preferences as well. The age range during which this general preference typically transitions is between 7.37 and 8.63 years.
·Children's stereotypes about talents or strivers evolve over time. Initially, they tend to perceive both talents and strivers as equally warmth. However, as they grow older, they increasingly view strivers as more warmth than talents. They consistently regard talents as more competence, but gradually come to believe that talents are more likely to "free-ride" and possess fewer mindfulness.
·Children's stereotypes regarding talents versus strivers are related to their general preferences. However, different aspects of stereotype exert differenr influences on social preferences.
Conclusions
Children's understanding of success and their perceptions of the sources of ability undergo dynamic changes as they grow. These changes are closely related to the stereotypes regarding talents and strivers.

Author information

Author	Role
Ms. Naping Zhu, Beijing Normal University	Presenting author
Yanfang Li, Beijing Normal University	Non-presenting author

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