Abstract
Pairs of 5 and 6 year old children working in same gender and mixed gender dyads on two activities were compared for five coded discourse styles. Subjects' interaction strategies during both activities were coded and data were analyzed to assess the role of gender, level of activity interest, and gender composition of the dyad on characteristics of the interaction. The findings support the central hypothesis of the study, that differences in the use of aggravated behavior in interaction style by boys and girls is strongly influenced by the nature of the activity being performed and by the gender of their interacting partner.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bearison, D., & Filardo, E. (1986).Gender differences in children's dyadic interactions. Unpublished manuscript, New York: City University of New York.
Bearison, D., Magazamen, S., & Filardo, E. (1986). Socio-cognitive conflict and cognitive growth in young children.Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 32 51–72.
Belensky, F., Clinky, B., Goldberg, N., & Tarule, A. (1986).Women's way of knowing. New York: Basic Books.
Block, J. (1984).Sex-role identity and ego development. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Charlesworth, W., & Dzur, D. (1987). Gender comparisons of pre-schoolers' behavior and resource utilization in group problem-solving.Child Development, 58 191–200.
Dileo, J. (1979). Frequency and modifiability of children's preferences for sex-typed toys, games and occupations.Child Study Journal, 9 141–159.
Dipietro, J. (1981). Rough and tumble play.Developmental Psychology, 17 50–58.
Eisenberg, A., & Garvey, C. (1981). Children's use of verbal strategies in solving conflicts.Discourse Processes, 129–170.
Eisenberg, A., & Hite, T. (1982). Children's reasoning regarding sex-typed toy choices.Child Development, 53 203–209.
Liss, B. (1981). Patterns of toy play: an analysis of sex differences.Sex Roles, 7 1143–1150.
Liss, B. (1983).Social and cognitive skills: Sex roles in children's play. New York: Academic Press.
Maccoby, E., & Jacklyn, C. (1974).The psychology of sex differences. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.
Miller, D., Danaber, D., & Forbes, D. (1986). Sex-related strategies for coping with interpersonal conflict in children five and seven.Developmental Psychology, 22 543–548.
Phinney, J., & Rotheram, M. (1982). Sex differences in social overtures between same-sex and cross-sex pre-school pairs.Child Study Journal, 12 259–269.
Pitcher, A., & Schultz, D. (1983).Boys and girls at play. New York: Praeger.
Sack, J. (1987). Young children's language use in pretend play. In S. Phillips, S. Steele, & C. Tauz (Eds.),Language, gender and sex in comparative perspectives. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Wilkinson, L. (1982).Gender influences in classroom interaction. New York: Academic Press.
Additional information
This work was submitted to the Graduate Faculty in Educational Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, The City University of New York. The author wishes to express her deepest appreciation to the members of her committee, under whose guidance and generous encouragement this study was conducted: Dr. Sue R. Zalk and Dr. David Bearison.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ausch, L. Gender comparisons of young children's social interaction in cooperative play activity. Sex Roles 31, 225–239 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01547716
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01547716