In this research, we studied the course of emotional expressions of 8- and 11-year-old children after winning a (large) first prize or a (substantially smaller) consolation prize, while playing a game competing the computer or a physically co-present peer. We analyzed their emotional reactions by conducting two perception tests in which participants rated children’s level of happiness. Results showed that co-presence positively affected children’s happiness only when receiving the first prize. Moreover, for children who were in the presence of a peer, we found that eye contact affected expressions of happiness of 8-year-old children negatively and that of 11-year-old children positively. Finally, this study showed that having eye contact with their co-present peer affected children’s emotional expressions. Overall, we can conclude that, as children grow older and their social awareness increases, the presence of a peer affects their nonverbal expressions, regardless of their appreciation of their prize.

Index Terms: nonverbal emotional expressions, contextual factors, social presence, development, (re)appraisals.