The Use of Role Playing and Induction in Children's Learning of Helping and Sharing Behavior

STAUB, ERVIN. The Use of Role Playing and Induction in Children's Learning of Helping and Sharing Behavior. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1971, 42, 805-816. 2 procedures were employed to develop a disposition to help others in distress. Kindergarten children enacted situations in which one child needed help and another provided help (role playing) and/or the positive consequences of help for the recipient were pointed out to children (induction). In comparison to same-sex controls, in the role-playing group girls attempted to help more in response to sounds of distress from another room, while boys shared more candy, showing generalization of the treatment experience. Both effects persisted over a 1-week interval. Induction had little effect on helping or sharing but decreased help for an adult on a task. Helping was related to a measure of learning during role playing (boys) and to family size and birth order (girls).