Boys tend to play differently and socialize in larger groups than girls, with friendships delineated by
common activities, such as sports. (Shelley Gazin/Corbis)ships are marked by common activities whereas girls’
are marked by intimacy. Boys are more aggressive
than girls, and girls tend to use aggression that is
more social (e.g., excluding someone from a group)
than physical in nature. There is less evidence, howev-
er, that the causes and consequences of these social
behaviors differ for boys and girls. For example, al-
though aggression is more common in boys, the same
cognitions that motivate aggressive behavior appear
to operate for both genders, and behaving aggressive-
ly often leads to peer rejection for both boys and girls.
Rather than focusing on the differences in boys’ and
girls’ behavior in general, Eleanor Maccoby suggest-
ed that it may be more important to focus on how boys
and girls interact among themselves and with each
other. During childhood, interactions occur almost
exclusively with same-sex peers when children are
given a choice (e.g., on playgrounds). When required
to interact, the power-assertive behavior typical in
boys’ groups results in boys dominating the interac-
tions (e.g., playing with the more desirable toys). Girls
in these interactions, who are accustomed to the sup-
portive style typical in girls’ groups, find this style
aversive and the boys unresponsive to change. When
possible, the girls will discontinue interaction or seek
proximity to an adult whose presence can reduce the
boys’ dominating style.SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 379