As expected, the current study found that overall children’s lie-telling and ability to maintain their
lies increased with age.
As predicted, when children heard appeals to tell the truth, they were more likely to tell the truth about a prior transgression. However, as expected, the effect of appeals depended on whether there was expected punishment.
When there was no expected punishment,
both internal and external appeals were effective in promoting honesty. When there was punishment,
however, only external appeals were effective in promoting honesty.