Decoding Nonverbal Cues of Emotion: Emergence of Sex Differences.

Abstract

This study examined age and sex differences in young children's skills in decoding nonverbal facial cues of emotional states. The purpose was threefold: (1) to determine whether older preschoolers were better decoders than younger preschoolers; (2) to see whether sex differences would be apparent throughout the preschool period or emerge only among older preschoolers; and (3) to test the hypothesis that male and female children are differentially sensitive to certain emotional cues. A total of 67 children 4 through 6 years of age from three preschool classes were shown six slides each of happy, angry, sad, surprise, afraid, and disgust expressions. Children's skills improved with age. Sex differences in the pattern of skills for the six emotions were present at all ages, although they were significant only in the youngest group. The pattern of improvement across ages in decoding skills differed for each sex. (Author/RH) *********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ***********************************************************************