What Do Children Want? A Conceptualization of Evolutionary

Influences on Children’s Motivation in

the Peer Group Kevin MacDonald International Journal of Behavioral Development 19(1) 53-73

Jennifer TraverAnn Dorlet

Luky Pongquan

A Look at Previous Research

• Peer Relationships fall within a continuum based on Resources

The Resource Continuum

•Not voluntary •Relationships are prone to defection

•Asymmetrical relationships

•Individuals rarely benefit

•Conflict of interest I.e. bullying

•Voluntary• Occur in Natural Groups

• Uneven access to Resources Among Group

• Basic Principles of Social Organization

•Voluntary Symmetrical relationships

• Based Reciprocity• Neither Party defects• Shared Resources

• I.e. Emotional Guidance

•High levels of Commonality or Interests

•Individuals choose friends who lie in this part

of the continuum

•Exploitation• Relationships of Dominance and

Subordination

• Friendships

Friendships Based on Reciprocity and Similarity Resources are being shared by both

Individuals     I.e. companionship, sharing advice, valued possessions Past research by Asher and Williams found

that mostly likely friendships would occur with individuals who are similar to each other

“Reciprocity and Equality” are the Hallmarks of Friendship

How Can You Tell If Friendships will be Reciprocated?

Phenotypically I.e. if physical attractiveness is a resources

then children who are similar in physical attractiveness will more likely be friends

Interests and Abilities I.e. if individuals share the same interests

and abilities they are more likely to be friends because individuals can obtain resources from one another

Hey, You’re Just as Good

Lookin’ as me, I’ll be your

friend!

Macdonald Looked at the Evolved Systems that

Influenced the Resource Value

Social Status plays into the Resource Value

Popular Children have good assets Unpopular children come as liabilities

Popular Vs. Unpopular Popular kids have

the most positive high net value

Become leaders Set the norms Physically attractive Most of them excel

in academia and or athletic abilities

Prosocial Interaction

Unpopular kids tend to be liabilities on other peer groups

I.e. Most unpopular boys tend to be highly aggressive, hyperactive, and disruptive

Three biological systems that appear to be assets or liabilities in peer

relationships Sensation Seeking and Impulsivity

Functional system Resources include sociability, curiosity, exploration of the

environment, and creativity There traits are associated with interests in and

responsiveness to the environment This is important in the aspect of play where individuals are

honing down on learning social skills This system makes child seek contact with the environment

and at moderate levels becomes part of learning device Developmentally this declines during adulthood (i.e. decline

in risk taking and sensation, attention focuses possible sources of threat)

Biological Systems Continued Example of Sensation/Impulsivity children

are ADHD children They are highly impulsive and seek simulating

environments This children are known to be highly rejected by

other children As a result being extreme in this trait of

Sensation seeking and impulsivity is not viewed as an asset by other children so not a resource to other peers

Biological Systems Continued

Behavioral Inhibition System Functional System System that responds to behavioral threats with

behavioral inhibition Children who are dominated by this system are

withdrawn and shy leading to social neglect This is not a resource for other peers and

becomes a liability these children become less mature, less assertive and more complaint

Biological Systems Continued

Human Affectional System Non Functional System because develops out of

relationships Resources include attachment, intimate

relationships, help to shape high investment in parenting, help to form close friendships later in life (highly rewarding), empathy, nurturance, and prosocial behavior

It has no adaptive function during childhood but helps to develop pair bonding in the future so it comes as a elementary form of behavior

Biological Systems Continued

The attached child is relatively empathetic and altruistic with friendships because feelings of support, affection, commitment, and cooperation are reciprocated

Helps ensure appropriate mate choice, increase paternal investment and cement family ties

Conclusion Macdonald proposes that popular children

have high net value or asset value due to moderate levels of impulsivity, moderate levels of behavioral inhibition, and moderate levels of the human affectional system

Overinhibited children are seen as liabilities to other children and are therefore rejected

Critical ReviewsAlthough he brings up a different

perspective on how to view the resource value, he doesn’t explain the degree of impulsivity, behavioral inhibition, and the human affectional system How much is too much? Or too little?

Phenotype can be subjective