Date of Graduation
1997
Document Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
This study examined individual differences in young children's social-cognition and potential correlates in the domains of family experiences and social skills. Three measures of family characteristics were collected (Self-Expressiveness in the Family Questionnaire; Conflict Tactics Scale, & the Marital Adjustment Test), along with three measures reflecting children's social-cognitive development and understanding of emotions (false belief understanding, empathy, and ability to label others' emotions). Teacher ratings of children's peer interactions and coping skills were also collected. Results revealed individual differences in children's emotional and social-cognitive understanding and suggested that these individual differences are related to specific dimensions of family experiences. Results also indicated that only preschoolers' theory of "mind" understanding predicted social behavior. The data are interpreted as contributing support to the notion that specific family experiences are related to key aspects of preschoolers' development. The importance of preschoolers' theory of "mind" understanding is also discussed in the context of children's social behavior.
Recommended Citation
Nixon, Charisse L., "Family experiences and early social cognition: Links to social behavior." (1997). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 9508.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/9508