[Development of other-oriented persuasions in preschool children]

Studies have shown that young children persuade others in a self-oriented manner while older children use an other-oriented manner. This study investigated the development of the ability to use other-oriented persuasion. Two experiments with 4-year-old and 5-year-old children investigated developmentally (a) the ability to focus on the reason for opposition by others, and (b) the ability to present information to overcome the opposition of others, as well as the relationship between these abilities. The results indicated that both abilities develop in the 5th year of life. Additionally, children who could correctly focus on the reason for opposition by others could also present appropriate information to overcome this opposition. These results clarify the abilities required for effective persuasion and the development of social skills for better social adjustment. The implications of these findings for elucidating the development of children's use of other's mental states are discussed.