IMAGINARY COMPANIONS IN YOUNG CHILDREN: RELATIONSHIPS WITH INTELLIGENCE, CREATIVITY AND WAITING ABILITY*

Abstract

SUMMARY Previous investigators have identified several intellective and personality variables thought to be related to imaginary companion phenomena in young children. In the current study, the presence or absence of imaginary companions was assessed and related to intelligence, several creativity measures, and waiting ability in 84 preschool children comprised equally of boys and girls. No significant differences were found for these major variables between those children who had imaginary companions and those who did not. The findings arc compared with previous descriptive, and empirical literature on imaginary companions. Directions for future research on imaginary companion phenomena are briefly discussed.