Cooperation and Competition among Polynesian and European Children

THOMAS, DAvm R. Cooperation and Competition among Polynesian and European Children. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1975, 46, 948-953. The Madsen cooperation board was administered to four samples of children using a different procedure from those reported in previous studies. It was found that Cook Islands children and rural New Zealand Maori children were more cooperative and thus received more rewards than European and urban Maori children. Older children and boys were more cooperative than younger children and girls. It appeared that greater competency in the use of social skills led to the superior performance by the Cook Islands and rural Maori children and that educational programs in some schools may not encourage the development of social skills.