Preschool Education; *Sex Differences IDENTIFIERS Dyadic Interaction Analysis; *Interpersonal Negotiation Strategies

This study was intended to examine: (1) the kinds of conflict preschool children between 2 and 5 years of age become involved in; (2) the methods children use in dealing with such conflicts; (3) the outcomes of the conflicts; and (4) differences in behavior according to age and gender of children. Recorded were random samples of conflict situations as they naturally occurred in the course of observed play periods over the course of 4 months. A total of 20 conflict situations were observed at each age, producing a total of 80 instances. Participants in the conflict events numbered 179; some children were involved in more than one conflict. Instances were coded as possession conflicts, territory or space conflicts, course of play conflicts, or social intrusion or annoyance conflicts. Responses were coded as physical nonconciliatory, verbal nonconciliatory, conciliatory, or intervention. End of conflict was coded as win/win, win/lose, or lose/lose. The numerous findings discussed concern the topics mentioned above, as well as gender and dyadic encounters, agonists, and number of movements used. (RH) Reproductions supplied by EDB1, are the best that can be made from the original document.