The Effects of Training on Reciprocity Judgments in Prekindergarten Children.

This study investigated the effects of training on reciprocity judgments in 43 white, middle class children, ages 38 to 68 months. Hypotheses were (1) children trained to make mature responses to interpersonal conflicts would make more mature judgments in illustrated story conflict situations than those receiving no training, (2) children exposed to discussion and role playing during training would make more mature reciprocity judgments on a story posttest than those exposed to operant discrimination training, and (3) there would be no sex differences on reciprocity judgments. Treatment A children acted out, discussed, and suggested solutions to a conflict situation, and then re-enacted the situation using the trainer's mature response to resolve the conflict. Treatment B consisted of operant discrimination training without discussion. Treatment C children listened to a story and answered questions. Children verbally solved 10 illustrated conflict situations on a posttest. Hypotheses (1) and (3) were supported; however, operant discrimination training was more effective than role playing and discussion training. (DO)