The present study examined how a multicomponent intervention embedded in a high school's extracurricular framework impacts students' acceptance of peers with intellectual disability (ID). Data were collected from eight high schools, three of which implemented the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools (UCS) program involving inclusive sports,…

The social acceptance of children with and without intellectual disabilities was examined in an inclusive, summer recreational program. Participants were 67 children entering Grades 3 through 6, of which 29 were identified as having a mild intellectual disability. Children were recruited from economically and racially diverse urban school…

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.…

Effects of the labels "mentally retarded" and "retarded" on 136 fifth- and sixth-grade children's attitudes toward peers were studied. Results indicated that children's attitudes were more positive toward the target child labeled "mentally retarded" than labeled "retarded." Reactions to the two labels were, in part, a function of the physical…

The effects of a classroom program designed to improve 109 fifth- and sixth-grade students' attitudes toward blind peers are examined. The results indicated that children who received the lessons had better feelings about blind children but were less inclined to engage in activities with them than those who received no lessons. (Author/PHR)

Examined were the effects of physical appearance and academic performance on the attitude toward handicapped children of 72 fourth- and fifth-grade students. (Author/CL)

Data gathered from a sociometric survey of 177 fifth and sixth grade children, including 22 who were learning disabled (LD), indicated that LD children were less popular in general than non-LD children, that no LD children were extremely popular, but that LD children were not overly represented among social isolates. (Author/IM)

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…

A study of 43 children with mental retardation working with peers on a cooperative task found that different factors influence peer acceptance and rejection. Acceptance was influenced by overall quantity of a child's interactions and peer perceptions of positive behavior; rejection was influenced by positive behavior of the target child and peer…

In this study, children became more negative in their attitudes toward handicapped peers after group discussion but did not change their views on normal-appearing children. (MM)

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…

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…