[Reporter: Mei-Hsiu Hung / Hsinchu] Kindness can, in fact, be taught. A cross-species study conducted by National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) has found that when young children learn self-control, they are more likely to develop positive social interactions and prosocial behaviors. These traits have a lasting positive impact on interpersonal relationships and mental health later in life.

Following its merger with National Hsinchu University of Education, NTHU launched a cross-disciplinary study. Professor Yu-Ju Chou from the Department of Early Childhood Education and Associate Professor Chung-Han Kuo from the Department of Life Sciences formed a research team to explore behavioral development through both children and mice. Their latest study, showing that suppressing aggressive behavior can lead to altruistic behavior, was published in the international journal Behavioral and Brain Functions.

Kuo explained that animal social behavior varies widely. It includes aggressive behaviors—used to fight for dominance—as well as prosocial behaviors such as grooming, which promotes harmony. The study used a “resident-intruder” experiment in which mice, after being isolated for a week, instinctively attacked unfamiliar mice entering their space to defend their territory. However, after disabling the brain region responsible for aggression, these mice stopped attacking and instead began grooming the other mouse in a soothing manner.

Kuo emphasized that once the impulse to attack was eliminated, the mice could have simply ignored the intruder. Surprisingly, they instead initiated friendly, altruistic behavior. “It’s as if mice are inherently kind,” said Kuo. From an evolutionary standpoint, aggression is more aligned with self-preservation, but the instinct for kindness and altruism appears to remain deeply embedded—just hidden from view.

Professor Chou conducted a corresponding study with over 100 children aged 4 to 6. Through a year-long observation of changes in their self-regulation abilities, she found that as children’s ability to self-regulate improved, impulsive and aggressive behaviors decreased, while sharing, caring, helping, and cooperation increased—mirroring the findings in the mice study.

Before learning self-control, children often act on impulse—grabbing toys or hitting back when provoked. After improving their self-regulation, however, they raise their hand before speaking, take turns with toys, and manage conflict by, for example, counting to three to calm down and think of solutions.

“Good self-regulation can be taught—and it's more important than teaching knowledge,” Chou emphasized. Rather than merely restricting children from hitting or bullying others, we should teach them empathy and help them develop emotional intelligence (EQ). Children who learn to control themselves and interact well with others are more likely to grow into mentally healthy adults.

To explore how to enhance children’s self-regulation, Chou is conducting a neuroscience-based study at NTHU’s affiliated kindergarten. In the study, children participate in activities like listening to music, clapping to the rhythm, and dancing to help them learn to manage their actions and emotions. The results have been promising: participating children showed improved concentration, fewer tantrums, better cooperation, and increased success in group play.

News source: Liberty Times Net, March 13, 2025.