Preschoolers' likability as cause or consequence of their social behavior

Bibliographic Data

ID9786871
AuthorsSusanne A Denham (0000-0001-8411-4782, George Mason University, corresponding author), Robert W Holt
Year1993
Volume29
Issue2
Pages271-275
Publication date1993-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueDevelopmental Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0012-1649 • E-ISSN: 1939-0599
PublisherAmerican Psychological Association (APA) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1037/0012-1649.29.2.271
OpenAlexW2004570781
LanguageEN
Citations received36
References cited6

Are preschoolers' likability and prosocial behavior consequences of their earlier prosocial behavior or their earlier likability? Teachers' ratings of positive and negative social behavior, as well as peer-rated sociometric likability, were assessed For 43 preschoolers over a 10-month period (average initial age = 45 months). Early in peer reputation formation, likability was associated with peer behavior. Friendlier, more cooperative, less aggressive, and less difficult children were more well liked. Later likability was predicted by earlier likability, not prosocial behavior; peer reputation appeared to be emerging as more important than social behavior in peers'judgments of likability. Although later prosocial behavior was found not to be a consequence of earlier likability, it was predicted by concurrent likability

Developmental psychology · Social change · Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Child and Animal Learning Development · Psychology · Social Psychology