Age and Sex Differences in the Formation of Coalitions1

Behavior of male and female 7to 8-year-old, 14to 16-year-old, and college triads was compared in a competitive board game. Three power patterns were used: all three players equal, all three different but no one stronger than the other two in combination, and one player all-powerful. Coalitions were permitted. Female triads at the three age levels do not differ significantly in degree of accommodative strategy, but an age progression occurs for male triads, with the youngest similar to females and the college students marked by the highest degree of exploitative strategy.