DOMINANCE AND CONFLICT IN INTERACTIONS BETWEEN PARENTS OF NORMAL AND NEUROTIC CHILDREN

Employed the Revealed Differences Technique to study dominance and conflict patterns in the interaction of 30 neurotic and 30 normal children of both sexes. 2 measures of relative dominance indicated that neurotic boys have dominant mothers and neurotic girls have dominant fathers. 2 measures of conflict indicated a more hostile interaction between the parents of neurotic children. In the neurotic group, there was a relationship between the areas of husband-wife conflict and independent clinic ratings of corresponding problem areas in the behavior of the child. Results were interpreted in terms of an identification learning conflict. (26 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.