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Related Experiment Videos

Group size regulates self-assertive versus self-deprecating responses to interpersonal competition.

Joyce F Benenson1, Rebecca Maiese, Eva Dolenszky

  • 1Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada. Joyce Benenson@McGill.ca

Child Development
|December 19, 2002
PubMed
Summary

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Children

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Social Psychology

Background:

  • Interpersonal competition can elicit varied responses in children.
  • Group dynamics and social context may influence behavioral outcomes under stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how group size affects children's self-assertive and self-deprecating behaviors during interpersonal competition.
  • To explore the role of stress in modulating these responses based on social context.

Main Methods:

  • Twenty same-sex play-groups (N=120) of 9-10-year-old children participated in a competitive game.
  • Children competed in both group settings and dyads, with stress induced by simulated reward disparities.
  • Behavioral responses were observed and categorized as self-assertive or self-deprecating.

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Main Results:

  • Children exhibited more self-assertive behaviors when competing in groups compared to dyads.
  • Conversely, self-deprecating behaviors were more prevalent in dyadic interactions than in group settings.
  • Individual stress responses varied significantly based on the social context of competition.

Conclusions:

  • Group size is a significant factor influencing children's behavioral responses to competition and stress.
  • Findings suggest group size may contribute to observed sex differences in assertiveness and self-deprecation.
  • Social context plays a crucial role in shaping children's competitive behavior and stress responses.