Play and Social Power

for 3- to 6-year-olds

This study will take place on a video call, live with a researcher! Clicking on the “Participate Now!” button will send you to an online calendar where you can select a date and time that works for you.

Children will watch two videos and listen to two stories about people playing. Children will then answer two questions about each, such as "who is in charge?" and "who has more stuff/friends?"

We want to know how children will think about play behavior and social power. We are interested in whether children will think someone who has excluded others from a game is “in charge” and if they have “more stuff/friends. This is important because we know that children use information about relationships to make decisions about who to play with, how others will treat them, and who they should work with. This study will look to see if controlling play situations is a way to show social power that young children understand.

15 minutes

Your child will receive a $5 Target or Amazon giftcard (based on availability) if they 1) meet the eligibility requirements for the study, 2) you must have filled out and completed a consent form, and 3) your child must complete the study with you present. Each child is eligible for a single gift card. Gift cards will be sent within 2-3 business days after your participation.