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An Ecological Analysis of Children's Behaviour in Supermarkets
Sanders, Matthew R. and Hunter, Allen C. (1984) An Ecological Analysis of Children's Behaviour in Supermarkets. Australian Journal of Psychology, 36 3: 415-427.
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| Author(s) |
Sanders, Matthew R.
Hunter, Allen C.
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| Title |
An Ecological Analysis of Children's Behaviour in Supermarkets
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| Journal name |
Australian Journal of Psychology
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| Publication date |
1984
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| Year available |
1984
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| Volume number |
36
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| Issue number |
3
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| ISSN |
0004-9530
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| Start page |
415
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| End page |
427
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| Total pages |
13
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| Editor(s) |
Heaven, Patrick
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| Place of publication |
Basingstoke, UK
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| Publisher |
Taylor and Francis
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| Language |
en
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| Subject |
380000 Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences
380100 Psychology
380107 Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology
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| Abstract |
Many parents report that shopping trips with children can be an exhausting and harassing experience. However the ecological features of supermarkets that contribute to disruptive
behaviour have not been clearly delineated. A pilot study sought the views of 100 parents and 40 store personnel on the nature of difficulties parents experienced with children on shopping trips to
the supermarkets. Subjects were drawn from staff and shoppers in each of four urban supermarkets. Results from a structured interview showed that many parents either experienced problems with their
own children (62%) or believed that other parents experienced child management problems (99%). Both parents and store personnel considered demanding and screaming to be the most frequently
encountered problem, and over half the parents considered that toy departments were the most disruptive areas. A second study comprised on observational analysis of children’s behaviour in three
supermarkets. This study examined whether different areas of the store were associated with differing levels of disruptive behaviour and product disturbance in children. The study also examined the
effects of the presence of store personnel, time of day and socioeconomic status on levels of store disruption. Systematic observations of the behaviour of children, parents and store personnel
were conducted in each of three observation zones, during the morning and afternoon, in each store. Results showed that highest levels of disruption occurred in areas where attractive merchandise
(e.g. toys) were on display, confirming parents impressions and during afternoon shopping trips. The effects of socioeconomic status and the presence of store personnel were non significant. The
implications of the results for treatment research aiming to develop advice packages for parents to use in community settings are discussed.
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| Keyword(s) |
shopping trips
children
supermarket
disruptive child behaviour
disruptive child behavior
observation
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