Conducting experiments with young populations: children are not little adults

Isabelle Brocas and Juan D. Carrillo

Chapter 12 in Handbook of Experimental Methods in the Social Sciences, 2026, pp 452-471 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: In this chapter, we explore the unique challenges of conducting economic experiments with children and adolescents, emphasizing that they are not merely miniature adults. Recognizing this distinction is essential for understanding decision-making from a developmental perspective. We highlight the difficulties of accessing this population, the experimental challenges that result from their limited cognitive abilities, differences in their motivations compared to adults, and the significant heterogeneity influenced by genetic and environmental factors. Additionally, we provide guidance on designing appropriate experiments and caution against common pitfalls. Finally, we argue that studying decision-making in children is critical for uncovering the developmental origins of adult behavior and for crafting interventions aimed at addressing societal issues such as substance abuse and educational inequality.

Keywords: Developmental Decision-making; Experimental Methods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035312627
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