The Supersuit: An Example of Structured Naturalistic Observation of Children's Altruism

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Abstract
A structured, naturalistic observational method of eliciting helping utilized a “superperson suit” which needed to be fastened by a day-carecenter classroom peer. This method produced a high number of opportunities to help, spontaneous offers of help, and recipient-prompted help. There was little evidence of peer reinforced help or reciprocal help. Although the low n (four girls and seven boys) prohibited definitive conclusions, it appeared that children with high general social competence ratings provided a disproportionate amount of both spontaneous and prompted helping. The future utility of this method as a means of promoting higher rates of spontaneously occurring helping to enhance study of children's altruism is suggested.