The research, carried out across 152 parents with children aged between three and five years of age, also found that men learn about dishonesty from a young age.
In an extremely interesting experiment, researchers asked parents to flip two coins. Each coin had a green side and a blue side. If the coins landed blue side up, the participants received a prize of up to $10 (for the parent) or a toy (for the child).
While the study authors left the room, they asked parents to write down what colour coin they got, either alone or with their children in the room.
Comparing the results, the researchers found that the parents were more likely to lie about the result if their children would get a prize. Furthermore, they found that the parents were also less likely to lie in front of their daughters than in front of their sons.
Commenting on the findings, researcher Dr Anya Savikhin Samek of the University of Wisconsin, said: “Maybe that’s because dishonest behaviour is considered more socially acceptable for a boy. It’s not a causal relationship, but the gender finding gives us something to think about [regarding] how societies form, and about the origins of dishonesty.”
This latest research follows a recent survey which found that punishing kids for lying doesn't work.
Both very interesting studies - what are your thoughts?
