January 1996
·
365 Reads
·
27 Citations
Journal of Social Behavior and Personality
Gender-role stereotypes can influence gender differences in prosocial behavior. Thirty-eight preschool-aged children (19 boys and 19 girls) were observed in same gender and mixed gender dyads to determine whether and how they shared stickers. Researchers recorded participants' behaviors (sharing, neutral, or taking) as well as the manner in which the behavior occurred (negotiation, neutral, or coercion). The hypothesis that girls would be more likely than boys to share was supported. The hypothesis that girls would negotiate more and that boys would be more coercive was supported for the same gender dyads only. These findings are congruent with current research indicating that boys tend to be interested in personal gain and girls in maintaining group harmony.