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Gender And Age Differences In Brazilian Children’S Friendship Nominations And Peer Sociometric Ratings, Maria Rosario De Guzman, Gustavo Carlo, Lenna L. Ontai, Silvia H. Koller, George P. Knight

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine gender-and age-related patterns of friendship preferences among Brazilian children. In particular, we examined: (a) children’s same-sex friendship preference, and its greater intensity among older children; (b) higher exclusivity among girls and higher inclusiveness among boys; and (c) generally higher exclusivity and inclusiveness among older children. Participants were 210 (110 boys, 100 girls) public school students from Brazil who ranged in age from 3.0 to 10.5 years of age. Children were asked to nominate their best friends and to rate how much they liked and disliked each of their other classmates. Children generally …