The article reviews 25 studies investigating peer status of learning disabled children. An underlying assumption of most of the studies was a unidirectional relationship between peer status and social skills. The studies are reinterpreted using a bidirectional model in which peer status is the outcome of reciprocal interactions between child,…

A study involving 633 Grade five Chinese students in Hong Kong found significant sex and popularity group differences in peer-nominated creativity and popularity group differences in teacher-rated creativity. Overall, peer status and perceived creativity were highly related. Students perceived boys as more creative than girls. (DB)

Investigates the relationship between teacher attitudes about children and children's peer relations and achievement orientation. The sample included 18 preschool children and 14 student teachers. Results indicated a significant relationship between teacher attitudes toward children and children's peer relations. (RJC)

This study investigated the perceived loneliness, social competence, and social status of 15 sixth-grade students with learning disabilities (LD). Comparison with 68 peers without disabilities found students with LD reported more loneliness, were less popular, and more controversial in their social status than non-disabled peers. Implications for…

This study examined effects of achievement on the peer status of Mexican American elementary students (n=43) with learning disabilities (LD) in academic and play contexts. Mexican American students with LD received significantly lower sociometric scores than low-achieving nondisabled Mexican American peers even in classrooms where all students…

Examines popularity's role in the gender socialization of elementary school children. Explains that children model their behavior based upon idealized male and female images. Concludes that boys attain popularity because of athletic ability, toughness, cross-gender relational skill, while girls obtain popularity because of attractiveness, social…

This study compared the social reputation of: (1) children with a cancer which did not involve the central nervous system (N=26); (2) children with a primary malignancy involving the central nervous system (N=15); and (3) children with sickle cell disease (N=33) to matched, same classroom peers using a measure of social reputation, the Revised…

The assigned and received social status of mildly learning-disabled, mildly behaviorally disordered, and nonhandicapped high school students (n=66) was examined. The samples' social status differed significantly from a larger nonhandicapped population. Cross-categorical comparisons of assigned social status showed no significant differences,…

Peer popularity was compared across three groups of preschool children: (1) children with normally developing language skills; (2) children with speech and/or language impairments; and (3) children learning English as a Second Language. Normally developing children were the most popular. A receptive measure of single word vocabulary was the best…