COOPERATIVE GAMES - A WAY TO MODIFY AGGRESSIVE AND COOPERATIVE BEHAVIORS IN YOUNG-CHILDREN

We investigated the effects of competitive and cooperative games on ag gressive and cooperative behaviors of 70 children (4 to 5 years old) f rom four classes in three preschools. The experimental design included both multiple baseline and reversal components. Behaviors were measur ed during game conditions and in subsequent free-play periods. Results showed that cooperative behavior increased and aggression decreased d uring cooperative games; conversely, competitive games were followed b y increases in aggressive behavior and decreases in cooperative behavi or. Similar effects were also found during free-play periods.