Abstract
It is hypothesized from within an evolutionary framework that females should be less invested in peer relations than males. Investment was operationalized as enjoyment in Study 1 and as preference for interaction in Study 2. In the first study, four- and six-year-old children’s enjoyment of peer interaction was observed in 26 groups of same-sex peers. Girls were rated as enjoying their interactions significantly less than boys. In the second study, six- and nine-year-old children were interviewed about the individuals with whom they spend time in their homes and neighborhoods and about the individuals who participate in their favorite activities. The proportion of individuals named by children who were peers was significantly lower for girls than boys both in children’s neighborhoods and in children’s favorite activities. Results strongly support the hypothesis that females and males have evolved differential preferences for interaction with peers.
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Joyce F. Benenson, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Applied Developmental Psychology in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology at McGill University. Her research focuses on sex differences in patterns of social organization and the influence of social organization on competition and cooperation.
Tamara Morganstein, M.A., is a doctoral student in the School Psychology Program in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology at McGill University. Her research interests lie in understanding social competence in children.
Rosanne Roy, M.Ed., is a doctoral student in the Applied Developmental Program in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology at McGill University. Her research examines sex differences in competitive strategies from an evolutionary perspective.
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Benenson, J.F., Morganstein, T. & Roy, R. Sex differences in children’s investment in peers. Hum Nat 9, 369–390 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12110-998-1015-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12110-998-1015-0