Compared conflicts between 53 children (median age four years, three months) and their friends to conflicts between nonfriends. In comparison with conflicts among friends, conflicts between neutral associates were no less frequent, were less intense, were resolved more frequently with disengagement, and more frequently resulted in equal outcomes.…

Examined the ability of children of different ages to encode and retrieve from memory descriptions of aggressive and withdrawn behavior displayed by hypothetical peers. Descriptions of two hypothetical peers were read aloud to the children studied. (PCB)

Developed a framework for describing and assessing the qualities of sibling relationships by interviewing upper elementary school children and administering a self-report questionnaire to fifth- and sixth-grade children. Component analysis yielded four underlying factors: warmth/closeness, relative status/power, conflict, and rivalry. Relative…

Normally developing and mildly developmentally delayed preschool-age boys were brought together to form playgroups. Videotapes of the groups and peer sociometric ratings indicated that delayed children had a deficit in peer-related social interactions and were seen as less competent and of lower social status by peers. (PCB)

Investigates 57 three- to five-year-old children's sharing of preferred and nonpreferred food with same-sex peers as a function of (1) whether or not the children had previous experience as recipients and (2) whether or not the child was shared with during the experience as a recipient. (HOD)

Temperament and attachment, as defined by Bowlby and his followers, are fundamentally different constructs, and research guided by the attachment perspective cannot meaningfully be assimilated to the temperament construct. Qualitative aspects of relationships simply cannot be reduced to individual behavioral dimensions. (RH)

Examined variations in amounts of time preschool children spent interacting with peers and adults. Findings suggest that relationships with caregivers and peers represent partially incompatible behaviors. Follow-up study correlated free-play activity choices with later academic achievement. (PCB)

Examines the effects of providing different reasons for young children inteacting with a peer during play. Shows that dispositional or situational information about an unknown peer affects children's impressions of that peer differently, depending on the age of the child. (HOD)

Examines whether vocal exchanges between preverbal infants and their mothers show characteristics similar to those found to be typical of conversational exchanges between competent adult speakers. (HOD)

Discusses observations of sets of infant twins, aged 6 to 24 months, as they interacted with one another and with an unfamiliar peer. Assesses quality of infant-mother attachment. Finds twins are more likely to react with one another than with a peer. Results are discussed in relation to early peer relationships and attachment. (Author/RWB)

Examines the extent to which the changes in friendship during a school year influence children's impressions of their friendships and their preference for sharing over competition with friends. Also studied the differences between friendships in middle childhood and early adolescence, using multiple methods and measures. (HOD)

Examines the hypothesis that biases in peer interpretations of social behavior may contribute to the stability of social acceptance and rejection in children. (HOD)

Investigates the influence of infant-mother attachment patterns on the development of peer interaction between the toddler and preschool periods. Notes that, in an initial encounter with an unfamiliar peer, attachment patterns appear to be related more to the child's attractiveness as an interactive partner than to the child's own active interest…