An Observational Study of Social Problem Solving in Young Children

  • Linda Rose Krasnor
Chapter

Abstract

Social problem-solving (SPS) behaviors are attempts to achieve personal goals within social interaction. In one recently observed preschool incident, for example, “Gretel” attempted to solve the problem of getting her classmates, “Samantha” and “Hecate,” to stop being witches. Her first strategy was to touch each witch on the arm, saying “If you be the witch, I’m not your friend.” They looked at her and then resumed their role play. Gretel made a second, slightly modified, attempt. This time she held up her wrist and said, “If you play witches, I won’t let you wear my watch.” The second attempt was more successful. “Alright,” Hecate responded, “we won’t play witches. Let’s go to a party.” Gretel and the two ex-witches walked to the playhouse together and began to dress for a ball at the castle.

Keywords

Target Group Social Information Target Distribution Social Strategy Focal Child 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Reference Notes

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© Springer-Verlag New York Inc. 1982

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  • Linda Rose Krasnor

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