At what developmental stage do social concepts of good and bad typically emerge?

The emergence of social concepts of good and bad generally begins around the age of 3 years. At this stage of development, children start to gain a better understanding of social norms and expectations. They begin to grasp the ideas of rules, fairness, and morality, which are foundational to their understanding of social interactions.

By age 3, children may begin to show preferences for behaviors they perceive as "good," such as sharing and cooperation, and distaste for behaviors they view as "bad," like hitting or being unkind. This is also the age when they become more attuned to the emotional expressions of others and can start to empathize, which further helps them navigate their understanding of social values.

As children continue to develop, these concepts will become more nuanced and complex, but the initial understanding typically forms around age 3. This stage is critical for setting the groundwork for future social interactions and moral reasoning.