Why we start avoiding knowledge after age 7: Study reveals the 'ostrich effect'

The Age of Ignorance: When We Choose Not to Know

It’s a curious phenomenon: as we mature, there’s a point, pinpointed by researchers, where preferring blissful ignorance over the often-uncomfortable truth becomes our default setting. This peculiar tendency, often dubbed the 'ostrich effect' (though ostriches themselves are innocent of burying their heads in the sand), has been explored by American scientists at the University of Chicago. Their extensive experiments, involving 320 American children aged 5 to 10, revealed a stark contrast in information-seeking behavior. Younger children demonstrated an insatiable curiosity, actively pursuing knowledge. However, a shift occurs around the age of seven, when children begin to shy away from information, particularly if the potential answers might trigger negative emotions.

“Why are children so inquisitive, and yet, as adults, we somehow gravitate towards avoiding information? What is this transition?” pondered Dr. Radhika Santhanagopalan, one of the lead researchers, highlighting the profound nature of this behavioral change.

Unpacking the Reasons Behind Information Avoidance

The research delved into five potential drivers behind this information avoidance. These included the innate desire to steer clear of negative emotions, a reluctance to confront unflattering truths about our own attractiveness or competence, a deep-seated need to protect our existing beliefs from being challenged, and the powerful influence of self-interest. To further illuminate these motivations, the study’s authors devised a series of engaging scenarios.

One particularly insightful experiment involved asking children to recall their favorite and least favorite candies. Subsequently, they were shown videos explaining the detrimental effects of these chosen sweets on dental health. “We observed that while younger children were genuinely eager to learn, older children exhibited a clear avoidance pattern. For instance, they had no desire to know why their beloved candies were bad for them, yet they were perfectly content to learn about the negative impacts of candies they disliked,” explained Dr. Santhanagopalan. This illustrates a subtle yet powerful form of 'moral licensing,' where individuals strategically avoid information that might compromise their self-image, all while maintaining an appearance of fairness.

The 'Moral Maneuver': Self-Interest Under a Veil of Fairness

This concept was further underscored in a scenario where children, working in pairs, were presented with two buckets of stickers. One bucket contained a generous amount of stickers, while the other was sealed, its contents unknown. Before making their choice, the children were asked if they wished to know the exact number of stickers their partner would receive. “We want to act in our own self-interest, but we are also keenly aware of appearing fair to others. This moral freedom allows us to achieve both,” Dr. Santhanagopalan articulated. While the information about the contents of the sealed bucket didn't directly influence individual outcomes, older children were more likely to opt out of knowing their partner’s share. This allowed them to sidestep any potential guilt associated with choosing the more advantageous option for themselves without having to confront the implications for their partner.

“This moral maneuver grants them the license to pursue their own benefit while preserving the illusion of fairness. This veil of ignorance empowers them to act in their own self-interest,” emphasized Dr. Santhanagopalan. The findings indicated that as children grow, they increasingly employ information avoidance as a defense mechanism against negative emotions. This was linked to all tested reasons, with the exception of competence, suggesting that the educational environment, with its focus on growth and positive change, can mitigate the impact of poor performance, making it a mere stepping stone rather than a definitive failure.

The Pervasive Impact of Adult Information Avoidance

In adulthood, the deliberate avoidance of certain information becomes significantly more prevalent. The researchers caution that this behavior carries considerable personal and societal repercussions, potentially contributing to issues like “deepening political polarization or ideological rigidity.” The scientists expressed considerable concern over why adults would forsake the long-term benefits of knowledge for the fleeting comfort of ignorance, especially when the information is demonstrably useful.

“Humans have a tendency to seek resolution for uncertainty, but when resolving a situation becomes threatening, they may shift to avoidance instead. I believe there's something significant in the capacity to tolerate, and even accept, a certain level of ambiguity. This might be key to not falling victim to information avoidance,” Dr. Santhanagopalan concluded. These insightful findings were published in the prestigious journal Psychological Science.