Effects of intentionality in offending behavior on apologizing behavior: Preschool children in conflict situations

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate factors that affect preschool children's expectations regarding apologizing behavior in interpersonal conflict situations, focusing on (a) whether expectations regarding the apologies differed depending on the intentionality of the offending behavior, and (b) whether the prospect of future relations differed, depending on the intentionality of the offending behavior and the expectation that the offender would apologize. Participants, 32 four-year-olds, 89 five year olds, and 39 six-year olds, were read fictional scenarios of intentional and accidental conflict situations, and then asked to answer from the victims' viewpoint. The results were as follows: (a) the 6-year-olds showed more expectation of an apology than the 4-year-olds did, suggesting that they required an apology in order for conflict to be terminated. Intentionality of the offending behavior had an effect in the 4-and 5-year-olds, but not in the 6-year-olds, (b) The prospect of future relations differed depending on the apology in the 5-year-olds, but not in the 6-year-olds. These results suggest that there may be a turning point in apologies around 5 years of age.