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SupportingPeer-reviewed experimental research· Peer-reviewed

It's the cost that counts! Young children's reciprocity is sensitive to subjective cost

Katz, N., & Tomasello, M. (2026). Child Development, 97(1), 261–272. DOI: 10.1093/chidev/aacaf020.

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Summary

Research on children's reciprocity found that older children in a 4-to-7-year-old sample were more responsive to the giver's subjective sacrifice than younger children -- a study of social reasoning and reciprocity development, not a test of which toys or products children want.

Key findings

  • Sensitivity to a giver's subjective sacrifice/cost when reciprocating increased with age within the 4-7 sample studied.

GiftNav takeaway

Age can inform how a child is likely to understand the social meaning of giving and receiving, which is a different (and narrower) claim than knowing what gift a specific child wants.

Limitations & cautions

A study of children's social reasoning about reciprocity, not of gift product preferences.

Themes

Used in these research topics

Last reviewed September 14, 2026.

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