Citation

Cooper AR, Stoutamyer RV, Tumilty M, Caplan M, Raag T. Violence Gend. 2015; 2(2): 119-128.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers)

DOI

10.1089/vio.2015.0007

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In this article we explore preschoolers' conceptualizations of emotions and objects, sharing behaviors, and whether such perceptions and behaviors can be altered by prosocial intervention programs. We specifically study the effectiveness of a particular intervention program in Maine called Bear Thoughts, aimed at altering sharing perceptions and behaviors in 4-5-year-old children. Through examination of the dynamics between anger, gender, and culture, we propose that anger should be treated as a unique emotional experience in order to produce any impactful prosocial programming. Moreover, due to discrepant perceptions of anger between boys and girls, with boys perceiving anger more negatively, we discuss implications that need to be a focus of domestic violence proactive programming.