Psychophysiological and behavioral evidence for varying forms and functions of nonsocial behavior in preschoolers.
Four-year-old children showing low levels of social behavior in a laboratory play session with unfamiliar peers were classified as reticent (unoccupied or onlooking behaviors) or solitary-passive (solitary constructive or exploratory play). Compared with a group of more social children, the children in both low-social groups were rated high on maternal reports of shyness and displayed a pattern of right frontal EEG asymmetry. However, only the reticent group was elevated on measures indicative of a fearful temperament, both concurrently and retrospectively. A subset of children in the solitary-passive group showed increasing levels of reticent behavior over the course of the visit, suggesting that for some children solitary-passive behaviors provide a means for coping with feelings of unease.
Henderson
Heather A
HA
Department of Human Development, University of Maryland, USA. h.henderson@miami.edu
Marshall
Peter J
PJ
Fox
Nathan A
NA
Rubin
Kenneth H
KH
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004292:Dominance, Cerebral / Q000502:physiology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005239:Fear / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000502:physiology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010553:Personality Development; D012792:Shyness; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D012934:Social Isolation; D013694:Temperament