Study Finds Babies Display Deceptive Behaviors Before First Birthday

In Brief

Research suggests some babies under one year old use basic deception tactics, such as denial and hiding objects.

Key Facts

• A new study indicates babies can engage in deceptive behaviors before they can talk.
• Tactics observed include denial, feigning deafness, and hiding objects.
• The study was based on interviews with 750 parents.
• By 10 months, about a quarter of children reportedly practiced some form of deception, according to research.
• Examples of early deception include pretending not to hear parents or hiding toys.

What Happened

A study based on parent interviews found that some babies under one year old use basic forms of deception, such as denial and hiding objects, before they can speak.

Why It Matters

These findings suggest that the capacity for deceptive behavior may emerge earlier in human development than previously thought, providing new insights into early cognitive and social skills.

What's Next

Further research may explore how these early deceptive behaviors develop over time and what factors influence their emergence.