Development of Prosocial and Competitive Behaviors in Anglo-American and Mexican-American Children

KNIGHT, GEORGE P., and KAGAN, SPENCER. Development of Prosocial and Competitive Behaviors in Anglo-American and Mexican-American Children. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1977, 48, 1385-1394. A novel behavioral choice card designed to distinguish 4 social behaviors (altruism/group enhancement, equality, superiority, and rivalry/superiority) was administered to 5-6and 7-9year-old children from 3 populations: upper-middle-SES Anglo-American; lower-SES AngloAmerican; and lower-SES Mexican-American. Comparison of the 2 lower SES groups revealed an ethnic difference in the development of social behaviors: with age, Mexican-American children tended to be somewhat more prosocial in contrast to Anglo-American children who were increasingly competitive. Comparison of the 2 Anglo-American groups indicated lower-SES children make more prosocial choices than upper-middle-SES children. Boys made significantly more rivalry/superiority and fewer equality choices than girls across both ages in all populations and conditions. Behavior was generally consistent across conditions which varied the presence and activity level of the peer. Further, superiority and equality appeared to be strong social motives, rivalry and altruism appeared to be intermediate in strength, and group enhancement was a very weak motive.