CHILDRENS UNDERSTANDING OF INDEBTEDNESS AS A FEATURE OF RECIPROCAL HELP EXCHANGES BETWEEN PEERS

This study examined age differences in children's understanding of indebtedness as a function of helper cost and relationship. One hundred twenty children from the 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades responded to 3 high-cost and 3 low-cost vignettes describing a hypothetical reciprocal exchange between 2 friends or 2 acquaintances. Fifth graders reported a diminished obligation to reciprocate following the receipt of low-cost help, whereas the obligation to reciprocate remained high for 3rd and 1st graders. Low-cost help also minimized any negative feelings resulting from a peer's inability to reciprocate for 5th and 3rd graders but not 1st graders. All children reported that it was more important for an acquaintance to reciprocate assistance than it was for a friend.