Methodological considerations in the forbidden toy paradigm.

Designed 2 studies to investigate the forbidden fruit effect in 83 3rd and 4th graders. Results indicate (a) no support for a forbidden fruit effect, (b) that procedural aspects other than the prohibition in the forbidden toy paradigm influenced the child's valuation of the entire toy set, and (c) that there is a necessity for an appropriate comparison condition when using the forbidden toy paradigm. These results are extended to the previous research on the sour grapes effect. (4 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)