Sibling Rivalry

Term Paper # 103944

Child, Youth Issues
Child, Youth Issues > Family Issues

Sibling Rivalry

This paper explores the phenomenon of sibling rivalry and the importance of parental intervention.

2,036 words () | 12 sources | APA | 2008 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper examines several studies on sibling rivalry and focuses on the findings of a research questionnaire. The paper explains how this research indicates that children whose parents emphasize the development of social cognitive skills, such as empathy, responsibility and caring, are more likely to produce children disinclined to fight with their siblings. The paper shows how parental guidance is vital in order to ensure sibling rivalries do not grow into something dark and pathological.

Outline:
Abstract
Prevention/Intervention Strategies: A Review of the Literature
Population Studied
Prevention/Intervention Proposed
Findings
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Many studies have emerged in recent years that shed welcome light upon the dynamics of sibling relationships. To begin with, there has been a strong body of research indicating that advanced social cognition skills able to appreciate the reasons for the other party's incompetencies and/or peculiarities are critical if siblings are to form strong relationships between one another (Hudson, Forman & Brion-Meisels, 1982; Castle & Richards, 1979). Unfortunately, children take time to develop empathetic social cognition skills (Shantz, 1983) and it is not inconceivable that permanent injury in the relationship between two siblings can be created if too much hostility and resentment is produced in the formative years of life."

Sample of Sources Used:

Bridgeman, D.L. (1981). Enhanced role taking through cooperative interdependence: A field study. Child Development, 52, 1231-1238.
Castle, K.S. & Richards, H.C. (1979). Adult peer interactions and role learning ability among preschool children. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 135, 7179.
Felson, Richard B. (1983). Aggression and violence between siblings. Social Psychology Quarterly, 46(4): 271-285.
Howe, N., & Ross, H. (1990). Socialization, perspective-taking, and the sibling relationship. Developmental Psychology, 26, 160-165.
Hudson, L., Forman, E., & Brion-Meisels, S. (1982). Role taking as a predictor of prosocial behavior in cross age tutors. Child Development, 53, 1320-1329.