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Brigham Young University
The purpose of this study is to illuminate intergenerational processes in social cognition. In particular, we seek to further define the potential role of parents in helping their children interpret social situations, an important skill in accommodating the demands of social interaction. Parents and children will respond to hypothetical situations in which the intent of the others in unclear.
The responses of children will be correlated with their behavioral status in the peer group, with the expectation that children who interpret intent more effectively will also have more positive peer reputations. In addition, it is expected that results of the study will show a correlation between the intent attributions of children and those of their parents. This would suggest a modeling and teaching influence in the development of this important social skill.
It is also expected that study results will further provide evidence for one more avenue of prevention or intervention in the development of maladaptive behavior patterns. Once the hypothesized link between parent and child social cognition is more fully defined, one possible intervention strategy would be to help parents change their own way of thinking and, in turn, model or teach a social-cognitive style that is most conducive to social success.