"The results of this study show that fearless behavior in children can be identified and is related to neurological and genetic predisposition. This type of behavior has less correlation - at least in infancy - with standards of educational processes or parenting practice," says Dr. Inbal Kivenson-Baron, who carried out the study.
Under the supervision of Prof. Ofra Mayseless, the study set out to examine whether fearless behavior in children ages 3 and 4 is related to specific physiological and social-emotional characteristics and whether there is a relation to aspects of parenting, such as socioeconomic status, order of birth, parental well-being, child-rearing practices, and the like.
The study observed 80 children ages 3 to 4, along with their parents and preschool teachers. It reviewed reports given by parents and teachers, and made observations of the children at their preschool locations, at home and in the lab.
The study monitored children's tendency to fearlessness and their social-emotional characteristics at the beginning and end of one year, so as to determine the stability of this tendency.
The study also revealed preschool-aged children who demonstrate fearless behavior also tend to be less empathetic of their peers and be more aggressive with them. Why? Because they didn't know when their friends were scared.
The more fearless children had difficulty identifying facial expressions of fear, while they had no problem identifying other emotions such as anger, surprise, happiness or sadness.
These children also demonstrated higher levels of general aggression - especially tending toward antisocial behavior such as taking advantage of friends, emotional shallowness and a lack of regret or guilt after doing something socially unacceptable.
An interesting finding in this study was that despite their antisocial tendency, the children who show more fearlessness are quite sociable.
"These children connect with other children, they are friendly and smiley; but they find it difficult to identify distress in a friend, and show less interest in helping that friend. It seems that fearless behavior includes in it both positive and negative aspects," said Kivenson-Baron.
"Since fearless behavior correlates with genetic and neurological characteristics, it is important to find the most effective ways -- through education at the preschool and at home -- to assist these children in developing the ability to recognize and value social prohibitions," said Kivenson-Baron.
