New findings reveal that babies develop social awareness far earlier than previously believed.
Studies indicate that infants as young as six months can already tell the difference between helpful and harmful behavior, simply by watching how people interact. Researchers say these early judgments form the groundwork for a child’s future moral and social development.
According to the results, babies consistently show a preference for individuals who demonstrate kindness, cooperation, and positive intentions. Their ability to interpret facial expressions, vocal tone, and actions appears to be more advanced than once assumed, allowing them to instinctively identify who feels safe or trustworthy.
Experts explain that this early sensitivity acts as a built-in survival mechanism, helping infants navigate their surroundings before they can speak or fully understand language. It also influences how they develop trust and form their earliest emotional bonds.
Source: Yale University Infant Cognition Center.
