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The effect of competition on children's merit-based resource allocation: The difference between interpersonal and
Xue Xiao1,2, Miaomiao Zhang2, Yanfang Li2
1Center for Teacher Education Research, Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China.
The British Journal of Developmental Psychology
|November 16, 2023
Summary
Children
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Behavioral Economics
Background:
- Children's reward allocation strategies after competition are not fully understood.
- Distinctions between interpersonal and intergroup competition outcomes are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how children aged 3-8 allocate rewards after interpersonal versus intergroup competition.
- To examine age-related differences in children's allocation strategies.
- To compare children's biases in interpersonal and intergroup contexts.
Main Methods:
- Children (3-8 years) participated in interpersonal or intergroup competitive games.
- Participants allocated rewards between themselves/partners or their group/the opposing group.
- Qualitative reasoning about allocation decisions was collected.
Main Results:
- After interpersonal competition, children allocated merit-based when winning and equally when losing.
- After intergroup competition, children favored equal allocation regardless of outcome.
- Merit-based allocation increased with age in both competition types.
- Children showed less in-group bias after intergroup competition.
Conclusions:
- Children's reward allocation strategies differ significantly between interpersonal and intergroup competition.
- Age is a key factor influencing fairness and merit considerations in children's competitive contexts.
- Intergroup competition may foster reduced in-group favoritism compared to interpersonal competition in young children.
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