Relationships and alliances in the social interaction of kibbutz toddlers

Abstract

AbstractTwo groups of five 20‐month‐old Kibbutz toddlers were studied in order to examine relationships and alliances. The toddlers were observed during free‐play periods over a two‐month period. Evidence of relationships is found when children make special adjustments in their interactions with specific partners that would not be predicted based on the individual characteristics that these children display with others, and were found for both conflict and positive interactions. Qualitative analyses revealed a variety of types of relationships, although reciprocal relationships that combined either high or low levels of both positive and conflict interactions predominated. Alliances occur when third parties intervene in conflicts they witness in the group and were present, though relatively rarely, at this age. Alliances were based not on the established relationships in the group, but rather on who had been wronged in the initial conflict. Results are discussed in terms of the links between relationships, cultural standards of fairness, and alliances.