The development of compromising as an alternative to persuasion

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Abstract
Children's responses to situations in which their interests conflicted with those of the other interactant were investigated to determine whether children would attempt to persuade the other or to initiate compromise. One hundred twenty‐seven third, fourth, and sixth graders constructed messages in such situations. There was a tendency for more of the older children than young ones to spontaneously initiate compromise. Results were interpreted in terms of development and communicative skills reflecting the pursual of multiple goals. In this case, older children were concerned not only with their own primary interests, but with those of the other interactant.