Cooperative and competitive behavior of retarded and nonretarded children at two ages.

DOCUMENT RESUME EC 041 653 Madsen, Millard C.; Connor, Catherine Cooperative and Competitive Behavior of Retarded and Non-Retarded Children at Two Ages. California Univ., Los Angeles. Early Childhood Research Center. Office of Economic Opportunity, Washington, D.C. [72] 12p. MF-$0.65 HC-$3.29 *Behavior Patterns; *Elementary School Students; *Exceptional Child Research; *Interpersonal Relationship; *Mentally Handicapped Cooperative and competitive interaction (interpersonal relationship) between pairs of retarded and nonretarded children of ages 6 to 7 and 11 to 12 were assessed in a situation involving a marble pull apparatus in which competitive interaction was nonadaptive in terms of reward attainment. The retarded group was significantly more cooperative than the nonretarded group and the 6 to 7 year retarded group was more cooperative than the 11 to 12 year retarded group. The results were discussed in relation to previous developmental studies of cooperation and competition and placed in the context of cognitive and reinforcement theories of social development. (Author) SCOPE OF INTEREST NOTICE The ERIC Facility has assigned this document for prucessing .to: In our judgernent, this document is also of interest to the clearinghouses noted to the right. Indexing should reflect their special points of view. COOPERATIVE AND COMPETITIVE BEHAVIOR OF RETARDED AND NON-RETAR7.D CHILDREN AT TWO AGES Millard C. Madsen and Catherine Connor University of California, Los Angeles U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. EDUCATION & WELFARE OFFICE OF EDUCATION THIS DOCUMENT HAS BEEN REPRODUCED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED FROM THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION ORIGINATING IT. POINTS OF VIEW OR OPINIONS STATED DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT OFFICIAL OFFICE OF EDUCAT.ON POSITION OR POLICY. This study was supported by the UCLA Early Childhood Research Center, Dr. Carolyn Stern, Director. This Center is funded by Grant CG9938 from the Office of Economic Opportunity.