How Preschoolers Defend: Early Preschoolers Act More, Intend Less, and Strategically Defend Friends

Although prior research has linked social distance to defending in school-aged children and adolescents, it remains unclear whether this effect extends to preschool-aged children, generalizes to both defending behaviors and intentions, or demonstrates heterogeneity in this younger population. This study addressed these gaps by focusing on preschoolers, distinguishing between defending behaviors and intentions, and examining how social distance (friend vs. stranger) and age (early vs. late preschoolers) influence defending (direct and indirect defending), both independently and interactively. The final analytic sample had 200 Chinese preschoolers, including 101 early preschoolers (3-4 years, M_age = 48.94 ± 6.49 months, 50 boys) and 99 late preschoolers (5-6 years, M_age = 67.31 ± 4.77 months, 49 boys). A vignette task was used to measure children's defending intentions and behaviors. The analyses of covariance revealed significant effects of age and social distance on defending. First, compared to early preschoolers, late preschoolers exhibited fewer defending behaviors but more defending intentions. Second, a significant main effect of social distance revealed that both overall and indirect defending behaviors and intentions were stronger when the victim was a friend rather than a stranger. Third, the significant interaction effects of social distance and age on overall and indirect defending intentions revealed that early preschoolers displayed stronger intentions toward a friend than late preschoolers. The findings demonstrate an age-related divergence between defending behaviors and intentions, providing nuanced evidence for how social distance motivates defending strategies across the preschool years. SUMMARY: A developmental divergence emerged: compared to early preschoolers, late preschoolers reported stronger defending intentions yet exhibited fewer defending behaviors. Preschoolers strategically prioritize indirect strategies (e.g., comforting victims and seeking adult help) to defend their close friends. Early preschoolers exhibit stronger intentions for indirect defending toward close friends compared to late preschoolers.