Siblings' imitative behaviors were investigated in 39 middle‐class dyads during six 90‐min home sessions at both Time 1 (M age: older sibling = 4.4 years; younger sibling = 2.4 years) and Time 2 (2 years later). Although younger siblings imitated most often at T1 and T2, older siblings' imitation increased proportionally over time in comparison to younger siblings. Findings highlight the affiliative nature of imitation that occurred during reciprocal play interactions, via positive responses, and the content of the imitation. Finally, age was controlled by comparing first‐born siblings aged 4 at T1 to second‐born siblings aged 4 at T2. Findings demonstrated that sibling imitation had distinct characteristics despite the age match and partner effects. Sibling imitation is a dynamic, interactive social behavior and may be a powerful source of learning for young children.
Highlights
The role of sibling imitation in ongoing play in early childhood is highlighted.
Sibling imitation is a dynamic and affiliative behavior that promotes interaction during play.
Naturalistic observations of sibling imitation document that it is a powerful source of learning for young children.
The present study investigated the role of alliances in naturalistic polyadic conflicts, which involved at least three family members, through a comparative analysis of parent–child‐ and sibling‐originated conflicts. Thirty‐nine families with two children (aged 4 and 6 years) were observed in the home setting. Transcripts of six 90‐min observational sessions per family resulted in identifying 306 polyadic family sequences; conflict initiators, topic, and resolution, as well as additional party roles (e.g., ally, judge, additional combatant, and mediator), were coded. Findings reveal that despite all family members being involved in polyadic conflicts, children tended to be initiators, while parents were more involved as additional parties. Alliances occurred more often than the other types of additional party roles. Alliance partnerships were most evident between mothers and fathers in parent–child‐originated conflicts, and mothers were more likely to ally with the younger child in sibling‐originated conflicts. Finally, submission was the most common resolution of polyadic conflicts; however, allies were more likely to win conflicts than to compromise or lose. This study highlights the dynamic nature of family conflict at home and is discussed in terms of links between relationships with family members, as well as informal learning of conflict behaviors.
Highlights
Conflicts involving three or more family members occurs quite often at home.
Alliances are a common role that family members assume in conflict, as they try to achieve a favourable outcome for their side.
Children's involvement both as initiators and additional parties highlight their learning of various complex conflict behaviours in childhood.
Shared humor is a central feature of children's close relationships and a universal, integral part of human experience that is characterized by playful incongruity or, a benign conflict between what is expected and experienced
The family represents a set of interconnected relationships, characterized by high levels of intimacy and closeness, which also provide opportunities for family conflict. In the literature, there appears to be a shift in understanding of what <i>family conflict</i> is and its subsequent consequences. Previous research focuses on dyadic family conflicts and often views it as a negative experience, resulting in the study of various maladaptive outcomes including internalizing and externalizing behaviour problems. Recently, researchers argue that family conflict should be operationalized to include more than two individuals. Further, evidence suggests that experience in conflict offers children a unique context to hone their social and cognitive skills. This review explores how research on family conflict has evolved. We investigate the status of the field by specifying that family conflict should include instances where more than two members are involved, how theories can be bridged to support this claim, and why it is also necessary to view family conflict as a positive experience. Lastly, we discuss key methodological and analytical issues as well as possible interventions that would help disentangle the inherent complexity of studying family conflict. We emphasize the implications of advancing the field for researchers and frontline professionals.
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