Children's Attribution of Negative Traits to Authority Figures as a Function of Family Size and Sex

Attitudes toward authority were measured in 196 first through fourth grade students with a semi-projective test. It was found that boys (N = 105) had more negative attitudes toward authority than girls (N = 91). Boys from large families had more negative attitudes than males from small families. No relationship between attitudes toward authority and family size was found for girls. The findings suggest that the social learning experiences accompanying large family life produce more negative perceptions of authority.