Children in the US and China Value Unique Skills Even at the Expense of Conformity

Abstract

Abstract Throughout evolution, human cooperation has not only depended on individuals conforming to majority behaviors but has also relied on unique contributions from individuals. Extensive evidence has shown that even young children conform to majority preferences and evaluate non-conformists negatively. But to what extent do children also appreciate individuality in the form of unique skills? We examined this question across four preregistered studies with 6-9-year-old children from US and China (N = 335). We found that children from the two cultures chose partners with unique skills in collaborative contexts (Studies 1–3) and actively sought to develop unique skills themselves (Study 4). Notably, children selectively valued uniqueness in skills but not personal preferences (Studies 1 and 4). These findings suggest that children appreciate unique attributes in themselves and others even when they come at the expense of conformity, shedding light on an essential psychological mechanism for promoting successful cooperation and innovation.