‘We Got to Figure it Out’: Information‐sharing and Siblings' Negotiations of Conflicts of Interests

Abstract

Abstract Given the importance of mutual understanding for constructive conflict resolution, this study investigated the influence of information‐sharing on siblings faced with conflicts of interests. Thirty‐two sibling dyads (ages 4.5 to 8) participated. Siblings were asked to negotiate the division of five toys between themselves. Half of the pairs first shared information on which toys they wanted and why. Results indicated that information‐sharing increased children's knowledge of one another's interests, the likelihood of achieving maximally beneficial outcomes, and the involvement of younger siblings in problem‐solving.