Khaberni - A recent study by psychologists from the University of Chicago has found that seven-year-olds already possess an advanced cognitive ability to "avoid disturbing information".
This is a psychological mechanism used by adults daily unconsciously, known in psychology as the "ostrich effect".
The study indicates that this behavior, which consists of ignoring information that might cause anxiety or discomfort, is not exclusive to adults but begins to appear early in childhood and develops significantly with age, according to the French medical journal "Science Post".
According to experiments conducted by researchers on children aged between 5 and 10 years, it was observed that younger children show equal curiosity towards positive and negative information, while children around the age of seven begin to exhibit selective behavior towards information, avoiding knowledge of the negative aspects associated with their preferences, in favor of accepting psychologically non-threatening information.
The results also showed that this shift coincides with an increased ability among children to perceive the emotional impact of information, such as anxiety, frustration, or disappointment, which prompts them to consciously or semi-consciously avoid potential sources of distress.
The study added that children at this age also exhibit what is known as "moral flexibility," where some refrain from knowing information that may put them in an uncomfortable ethical situation, allowing them to make decisions that serve their interests without a direct sense of guilt.
The study concluded that avoiding information is not inherently a negative behavior, but a dual-function psychological mechanism, as it may contribute to psychological protection from emotional stress, but on the other hand, it may lead to cognitive biases and inaccurate decisions.
The researcher calls for the promotion of a culture of curiosity and acceptance of disturbing information as a fundamental element in building awareness and making sound decisions.
