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A recent study has unveiled that infants as young as eight months may exhibit deceptive behavior towards their parents. Experts, however, suggest that this should not be viewed as alarming; in fact, it could indicate a positive development in the child’s growth.
This research involved surveying parents of more than 750 children, ranging from newborns to toddlers up to 42 months old. The study’s conclusions were drawn from parental reports of their children’s behaviors rather than direct observation, as reported by Parents.com.
Dr. Emma Murray, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist at Phoenix Children’s, offers insight into these findings, explaining that while such modeling approaches can reveal behavioral patterns, they present challenges in translating results into real-world implications. This difficulty is especially pronounced in infants, where both behavior and intentions are inherently tough to define and evaluate.
Dr. Murray notes that approximately 25% of children are anticipated to grasp the concept of deception by the time they reach 18 months, with the ability to engage in deceptive actions emerging around 16 months.
It’s important to clarify that the study’s reference to deception does not align with the conventional notion of lying. Instead, it encompasses a broader spectrum of behavior, indicating cognitive and social development rather than dishonesty.
“We aren’t talking premeditated ‘lies’ here like the kind our older children and teens may spin,” says Sanam Hafeez, PsyD, a neuropsychologist and the director of Comprehend the Mind.
Dr. Murray adds that “although that definition may be applicable for some older toddlers and young preschoolers included in the study, the behaviors reported in infants are more likely a reflection of parental perceptions rather than ‘true’ deceptive or lying behavior.”
So why is this considered a positive sign? Experts say it points to normal brain development.
“My expert take is that infant deception is fundamentally a sign of healthy brain development, not a behavioral red flag, and this study does an important job of reframing it that way,” Dr. Hafeez shares.
Molly O’Shea, MD, a pediatrician and parenting expert, adds, “Early deception is a normal, healthy part of development, and in many ways, it’s a sign that your child’s brain is working well,” she says. “To deceive someone, a child has to recognize that they know something you don’t know, and have to predict how you’ll respond to their behavior. That’s genuinely sophisticated thinking for a 1 or 2-year-old.”