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Effects of Ownership Rights on Conflicts Between Toddler Peers
Author(s) -
Ross Hildy S.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
infancy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.361
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1532-7078
pISSN - 1525-0008
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-7078.2012.00121.x
Subject(s) - toddler , property rights , psychology , psychological intervention , business , social psychology , developmental psychology , political science , law , psychiatry
This study examined property conflicts in thirty‐two 20‐ and 30‐month‐old peer dyads during eighteen 40‐min play sessions. Ownership influenced conflicts. Both 20‐ and 30‐month‐old owners claimed ownership (“mine”) and instigated and won property conflicts more often than non‐owners. At 30 months, owners also resisted peers’ instigations more often than non‐owners. Mothers’ interventions supported non‐owners more often than owners, in part because owners initiated conflict more frequently. Children who received mothers’ support tended to win disputes. Finally, mothers’ support of owners and children’s adherence to ownership rights led to decreased conflict as relationships developed, supporting predictions based on theories concerning the social utility of ownership rights.