The application of evolutionary models to the study of decisions made by children during object possession conflicts

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The theoretical evolutionary models of animal conflict developed by Maynard Smith were adapted for an empirical study of decisions made by preschool children during conflicts over object possession. The focus of analysis was the probability of resistance to the opponent's attempts to gain or maintain possession of an object. Factors predicted to affect the decision to resist were (1) the interactants' overall tendencies to (a) win object conflicts, (b) extend the duration of conflicts, and (c) be aggressive, and (2) contextual factors such as (a) currently having or not having possession of the contested object, (b) distance of the object from each interactant, and (c) degree of completion of the opponent's attempt at gaining possession. In accordance with evolutionary theory, children were predicted to make decisions that maximized the probability of obtaining a benefit and minimized the probability of incurring a cost. Results indicated that for both conflict initiators and defenders current possession significantly increased the probability of resistance. For defenders, with or without current possession, an increase in the aggressiveness of the decider relative to his opponent was associated with increased resistance. For defenders with possession, an increased degree of completion of the opponent's possession attempt resulted in a decreased probability of resistance. For initiators without current possession, an increase in their own conflict winning percentage was associated with increased resistance. These results were in general agreement with predictions. In contradiction to prediction, defenders were observed to resist more often against more aggressive opponents. The degree to which evolutionary theory is supported by these results, and the limitations of the methods of inference utilized, are discussed.