showed a group of two- and three-year-olds a new game. A…
““showed a group of two- and three-year-olds a new game. A puppet then appeared and performed the game incorrectly. Almost all the children protested the puppet’s actions and many explicitly objected, telling the puppet how the game should be played. “Social norms—even of this relatively trivial type—can only be created by creatures who engage in shared intentionality and collective beliefs,” Tomasello writes, “and they play an enormously important role in maintaining the shared values of human cultural groups.” 7””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Children instinctively correct others, showing that shared norms arise from collective intentionality and belief.
In simple terms: Kids correct mistakes, showing shared norms need joint intention.
Key Takeaway
Encourage collaborative learning and respect for shared rules.
Themes
social norms
shared intentionality
culture
development
Mood
curious
reflective
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- early childhood education
- parenting
- team sports
- workplace training
Key Concepts
collective belief
social cognition
norm formation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance shared norms with personal creativity?
- When should we challenge a norm?
A Different Perspective
Norms can be rigid and suppress individuality if not balanced.