This research describes the attempts of 24 male and 24 female Kikuyu children (aged 2-9 years) to persuade other Kikuyu children and adults to comply to their demands. Examined was the sequence of behaviors beginning when a child encountered a noncompliant response from a target, and continuing until the child either gained compliance or gave up the set. Data consists of naturalistic observations of sequences of social behavior collected and coded by trained Kenyan observers. A multivariate analysis for qualitative data was employed to analyze for differences in the duration, outcome, composition and complexity of each sequence of behaviors across age, sex, and dyadic context. Results show significant developmental effects on the duration and complexity of the sequences, in which younger children show greater rigidity and lability than do older children. Contextual effects were also significant, and indicate that children are more likely to escalate their behavior after receiving noncompliance from younger children and more likely to de-escalate their behavior after receiving noncompliance from older children. Sex differences were shown in the strategies children use to escalate their demands. Results suggest the need to employ sequential analyses to more adequately describe interactive processes. (Author/SB)