Sibling Interaction in the Home

Abstract

ABRAMOVITCH, RONA; CORTER, CARL; and LANDO, BELLA. Sibling Interaction in the Home. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1979, 50, 997-1003. 34 pairs of same-sex siblings were observed for two 1-hour periods in their homes. The younger siblings averaged 20 months of age, and the age interval between siblings was either large (2.5-4 years) or small (1-2 years). The sex of the dyad affected agonistic and prosocial behavior but not imitation. Males were more physically aggressive. Older females were more prosocial in their behavior than any of the other groups. Age of the children within the dyad affected agonistic, prosocial, and imitative behavior. Older children initiated agonistic and prosocial acts more often than their younger siblings. Younger siblings imitated their older siblings more often. The interval between siblings had little effect on the patterning of interaction. The findings of sex and age patterns and the high levels of interaction in all groups are discussed in terms of the potential importance of sibling interaction for social development.