Cooperative games: a way to modify aggressive and cooperative behaviors in young children.
We investigated the effects of competitive and cooperative games on aggressive and cooperative behaviors of 70 children (4 to 5 years old) from four classes in three preschools. The experimental design included both multiple baseline and reversal components. Behaviors were measured during game conditions and in subsequent free-play periods. Results showed that cooperative behavior increased and aggression decreased during cooperative games; conversely, competitive games were followed by increases in aggressive behavior and decreases in cooperative behavior. Similar effects were also found during free-play periods.
Bay-Hinitz
A K
AK
Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno 89557.
Peterson
R F
RF
Quilitch
H R
HR
D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006801:Humans; D010988:Play and Playthings; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012919:Social Behavior