Study: Babies Start Deceiving as Early as 8 Months
Researchers found about 25% of infants show deception by 10 months and 50% by 17 months, with behaviors growing more complex by ages 2 to 3 years.
- Researchers led by Elena Hoicka found some children begin attempting to deceive parents before their first birthdays, based on interviews with parents of 750 children.
- About a quarter of children are deceptive by 10 months and half by 17 months, with deception becoming more elaborate by their third birthdays.
- Younger infants commonly hide items or pretend not to hear, while two-year-olds deny eating sweets or hide things, often hiding under a table or in the bathroom and fabricating stories like 'a ghost ate the chocolate.'
- Researchers say early lying is normal and hope the findings give parents and caregivers a development roadmap; Hoicka said, 'It was fascinating to uncover how children's understanding and usage of deception evolves from a surprisingly young age and builds in their first years so they become quite adept and cunning 'little liars',' in a news release.
- The findings link early deception to developing working memory and representational thought, with Saul saying 'this study shows just how much complexity gets overlooked by that focus.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Even before we can walk or talk, some babies would already be able to... fool their entourage, according to a new global study.
Babies understand deceit as early as 8 months old. By age 3, children are adept 'little liars'
About 1 in 4 children are beginning to understand deception by the time they turn 10 months old, new research shows. By age 3, they often are adept liars.
Babies can lie before their first birthday: Why it’s normal and what it means for brain development - The Times of India
A baby who cannot yet speak may still “bend the truth.” That idea feels strange at first. But new research, including the Early Deception Survey (EDS).
Under their adorable and innocent airs, babies understand very early what tricks and lies are, reveals a study.
Although babies can't yet walk or talk, they master the basics of deception before their first birthday, researchers in England and Canada find in a recent study.

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