Effects of perceived similarity on 96 fifth- and sixth-grade children's attitudes toward mentally retarded peers were examined. Results showed that children responded more positively toward a retarded target who was depicted as similar to them than toward one who was not. (Author)

Eighty students (grades 4-6) viewed either a nonretarded, mildly retarded, or moderately retarded child in two videotape vignettes. Attitudes and perceived similarity to the target were assessed. Among results were that children who saw themselves as similar to the target retarded peer evaluated that peer more positively than other children.…

Comparison of 20 socially accepted and 20 socially rejected intermediate grade students with mental retardation in regular class settings found accepted children displayed a higher level of social behavior and a lower level of sensitive-isolated behavior. Accepted children chose friendly-submissive (rather than friendly-assertive) goals and a low…

Effects of the label "mentally retarded" and academic competence on 96 low-income sixth-grade children's attitudes toward peers were examined. (Author)

Nonretarded fourth through sixth-graders (N=91) viewed a videotape of either a nonretarded, mildly retarded, or moderately retarded target child reading. They then were read a story depicting the target as either socially competent, withdrawn, or aggressive. Prosocial behavior attributes had a positive effect on children's attitudes and behavioral…

Four social-cognitive processes (encoding, cue interpretation, strategy generation, and evaluation of consequences) were investigated with 55 upper elementary children with mild mental retardation. Analysis of responses to videotaped vignettes of social conflict situations indicated children more accurately interpreted hostile than benign…

Social networks, social supports, family environment, and adjustment among 36 preadolescent students with and without mild mental retardation (MMR) were examined. Students with MMR were more likely to turn to family and adults for companionship, while those without MMR generally turned to peers. Those who received greater support experienced fewer…

This study of 40 children with learning disabilities or mild cognitive delays and 66 children without disabilities (grades 4-6) examined social networks, social supports, friendships, and adjustment. Results indicated that, compared to nondisabled children, the children with learning problems turned to their family less for problem-solving support…

The relationship between the conversational competence of mildly retarded children (two speakers) and acceptance by regular education students was studied. Ninety-four students in grades four through six responded more positively to videotapes of mildly retarded children who managed conversations well and less favorably to those with…

Forty-six intermediate grade students expressed their attitudes toward an unknown mentally retarded student presented in a videotape, and indicated their social acceptance, rejection, or neglect of a mentally retarded peer in their classroom. Children's attitudes toward the videotaped child were related to their sociometric choices of the retarded…

This study examined the role that stress in school and the family plays in early adolescents' adjustment during the transition from elementary to middle school. A total of 773 students (388 boys and 385 girls) from suburban communities in the northeastern United States were assessed at 3 time points: spring of Grade 5, fall of Grade 6, and spring…