Age and Sex Differences in the Cooperative and Noncooperative Behavior of Pairs of American Children |
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Authors: | Sandra F. Stingle Harold Cook |
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Affiliation: | 1. Barnard College, Columbia University;2. Teachers College, Columbia University |
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Abstract: | Game playing behavior of same and mixed sex pairs of 5-, 8-, and 11-year-old American children was compared, using a game in which cooperative behavior maximized reward. Pairs of 8- and 11-year-old children were relatively more cooperative and attained significantly more Joint Reward Goals than 5-year-old pairs. Older pairs were not maximally cooperative, however, in terms of all the dependent measures; in adjusting for initial differences on practice trials, 5-year-olds and 8-year-olds took less time than the 11-year-olds, and 11-year-old pairs of boys took significantly more time than all other pairs. In addition, cooperative behavior increased across trials, especially for the 11-year-old children. |
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