The results of past studies of sharing among friends and nonfriends have been mixed, with some studies finding that children share more with nonfriends than friends, and others finding either the reverse or no difference. This study examined the effects of self-presentational concerns on sharing with peers. Kindergartners, fourth- and eighth-graders shared with a peer (friend, acquaintance, or disliked peer) in either a "public" face-to-face interaction or through "secret" balloting where children believed responses were anonymous. Children shared more in public than secret balloting, and kindergartners and eighth graders shared more during secret balloting with friends than with acquaintances and disliked peers. During public balloting, eighth graders shared more with friends than with acquaintances and disliked peers, whereas younger children shared about the same with friends and acquaintances. The relevance of the findings for accounts of the development of peer relationships and prosocial behavior are discussed.
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