Effects of peer familiarity on the behavior of preschoolers in a novel situation.

Abstract

Tested the hypothesis that the presence of an attached peer in an unfamiliar situation has a distress-inhibiting effect on preschoolers. The free behavior of 57 4-yr-olds in an unfamiliar room containing novel and familiar toys was observed and videotaped under 1 of 3 conditions: with a close friend, with an unfamiliar peer, or alone. As predicted, Ss in the friend condition exhibited more positive affect and greater motility than Ss in the stranger or alone conditions (p < .05). There was a significant increase in positive affect over time only in the stranger condition. The stranger and alone conditions did not differ significantly in affect or motility. Friends were more verbal than strangers. All Ss, irrespective of condition, were more attracted to areas of the room containing novel as opposed to familiar toys. Correlations between affect ratings and activities within conditions suggest that Ss in the presence of either a strange or a familiar peer are more tolerant of arousing stimulation than are Ss in the room alone. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)