THE ROLE OF THE BELIEF IN FREE WILL ON SINGAPOREAN CHILDREN’S LYING BEHAVIOUR

Abstract

Previous research has focused on the socio-cognitive correlates of children’s lying such as theory of mind (ToM) understanding (Evans et al., 2011), inhibitory control (Fu et al., 2018), and parenting (Lavoie et al., 2016). However, no study has examined whether children’s lying behaviour is linked with their belief in free will—the belief that they can choose freely regardless of external constraints (X. Zhao et al., 2021). This study aims to investigate the direct and indirect role of children’s belief in free will on their lying behaviour. Ninety Singaporean children aged 4 to 7 participated in this online study. A dice-rolling paradigm was used to measure children’s lying behaviour. Traditional ToM, free will beliefs and inhibitory control tasks were also administered. Additionally, parents filled up a questionnaire measuring parent’s socialization practices. The results revealed a negative, marginally significant effect of children’s belief in free will on their lying behaviour. Children’s belief in free will was found to marginally mediate the relationship between parent’s view on the child’s problematic lying and children’s actual lying behaviour. This present study provides novel findings in establishing a relationship between children’s belief in free will and their lying behaviour.