Young Children's Reactions to Barriers Placed by Their Mothers

VAN LIESHOUTr, CORNELIS F. M. Young Children's Reactions to Barriers Placed by Their Mothers. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1975, 46, 879-886. The reactions of 64 children to a barrier were observed twice, at 18 and 24 months of age. After the child played 6-10 minutes with a toy, the mother placed the toy in a Plexiglas box so that the child could see it but not reach it. Compared with behavior before introduction of the barrier, positive coping behaviors to the box decreased while positive overtures to the mother increased. Crying and expressions of anger directed to both the mother and the box also increased. With increasing age, the children directed more positive attention to the mother after introduction of the barrier but not more negative attention. The results are discussed in terms of social tool using and instrumental dependency.