Role Asymmetries in Interactions among School-Aged Children, Their Younger Siblings, and Their Friends

22 school-aged children, their younger siblings, and their best friends were observed in their homes while playing a popular board game. The older sibling and the younger sibling and the older sibling and the best friend were observed on different days. Observations were also obtained of the older sibling, younger sibling, and best friend playing the game together. 5 roles were operationalized and observed: teacher, learner, manager, managee, and playmate. Analysis of the roles assumed in each social context revealed that older siblings assume the dominant role (teacher and manager) while playing with their younger sibling, and equalitarian roles (playmate) while playing with their best friend. The older sibling directed the teacher, manager, and playmate roles less often toward the younger sibling in the triadic social context. The results were discussed in terms of the possible contributions that role asymmetries make to social development.