Psychological Development and Education ›› 2021, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (5): 628-637.doi: 10.16187/j.cnki.issn1001-4918.2021.05.03

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Influence of Playmates' Interpersonal Character on Children's Interpersonal Character: The Moderating Role of the Number of Playmates and Child Group Differences

LIU Lisha1,2, WU Yuting2, LI Chaoqun2, XU Liangyuan2, LI Yanfang2   

  1. 1. Center for Teacher Education Research of Beijing Normal University, Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Universities, MOE, Beijing 100875;
    2. Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment for Basic Education Quality, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875
  • Published:2021-09-23

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Abstract: Playmates is an important source of influence on children's development. This study aimed to explore the positive associations between playmates' and children's interpersonal character (including humanity and justice) from the perspective of children's positive development. In addition, the moderating role of the number of playmates in the associations and child group differences (i.e., grade, gender, sibling status) were examined. Participates were 1555 fourth-to ninth-graders and their reciprocal playmates. The peer nomination method and a character questionnaire were employed to conduct the investigation. The results showed that:(1) The playmates' and children's humanity as well as justice was significantly associated, regardless of the child grade, gender, and sibling status; (2) The association between playmates' and children's justice was enhanced with the number of playmates increasing, however, this moderating effect displayed only on the secondary school children and boys. These findings suggested that children's associating with playmates who have positive character is significant to their development of positive character. In particular, children of some specific groups (e.g., secondary school children and boys) interacting with more playmates with good character may receive the greater positive influence from playmates.

Key words: playmates, children, interpersonal character, number of playmates, child group difference

CLC Number: 

  • B844
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