또래가 선호 또는 비선호하는 유아의 행동 특성

Behavioral traits of the liked and disliked peers of Korean preschoolers

This study examined the preschoolers’ perceptions of their liked- and disliked peers and differences in their reasons for so by sex. Eighty children (43 boys, 37 girls) aged from five to six years were individually interviewed. They were asked to nominate and give reasons for their liked and disliked playmates. Results indicated that, first, preschoolers preferred their peers of the same-sex over those of the opposite. Second, a common reason given by both sexes for liking the same-sex peers was “shared activities.” But reasons for liking the opposite-sex peer differed by sex: “Physical attractiveness” and “competence” for boys and girls, respectively. Third, a shared reason suggested by both sexes for disliking the same-sex playmates was “verbal and physical aggression” whereas the opposite-sex was “disruptiveness.” In conclusion, preschoolers favor mutual interactions and the same-sex peers as desired playmates but disfavor aggressive, hostile playmates.