The Impact of Warmth and Instructions on Donation

The present study assessed the influence of short-term warmth induction and instructions given by the warmth inducer on second and fifth grade male and female children's donation. Main effects were found for the effects of warmth, instructions, and sex. Children who interacted with a low-warmth experimenter were more generous than those who interacted with a high-warmth experimenter. Girls were more generous than boys. And children who heard instructions that encouraged charitability were more generous than were children who heard statements that encouraged selfishness or encouraged them to do whatever they wanted with their winnings. Children who heard neutral instructions did not differ from children who heard responsible or permissive instructions.