Data obtained from four national samples of 6-11 year old children are presented, showing preference for four countries, perceived friendship of these countries with the subject's own country and perceived relationships among the target-countries. Two quantitative analogues of Heider's balance theory are used to examine the relations between these sets of data, one employing a multiplicative and the other a distance approach. Both models were found to fit the data adequately, further research being needed to discriminate between them. A n explanation in terms of 'ethnocentric correspondence' is given to explain why prediction is noticeably better for British and Austrian than for Belgian and Greek samples.
'If the relationship AB is + 3 , the relationship BC is -4, what should the AC relationship be in order that the triangle be balanced? The psychological hypotheses are wanting, or rather they are numerous and little justified. Reflection, observation, or experimentation should first suggest a definition corresponding to facts, and then mathematics will deal with it' (Flament, 1963, pp. 92-93).
* The data reported in this paper were fessor Jozef Nuttin Jr. (Louvain), Dr. Calcollected as part of an international research liope Moustaka (Athens), and Dr. Maria D.