ERIC Number: EJ826914
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Mar
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1381-2890
EISSN: N/A
When the Wheels on the Bus Go Round: Social Interactions on the School Bus
Galliger, Courtney C.; Tisak, Marie S.; Tisak, John
Social Psychology of Education: An International Journal, v12 n1 p43-62 Mar 2009
Children's social interactions are often dependent upon the setting or context in which they occur. The current study explored the school bus as a unique context for social interaction. One hundred and fifty-seven elementary school students (78 males and 79 females), in grades 3, 4, and 5, completed a questionnaire concerning the rate and types of prosocial and aggressive behaviors that occur on the school bus ride. Overall, findings indicated that students were prosocial more often on the school bus than they were aggressive. Regarding the types of social behaviors, differences found in the current study were distinctive. Participants mentioned non-traditionally studied prosocial behaviors (e.g., companionship and benevolence) more often than traditionally studied behaviors (e.g., sharing and helping). In addition, participants mentioned physical aggression more often among their female peers than among their male peers. This study reveals the importance of context in understanding children's social behaviors. It is concluded that the present results have important implications for the school bus context and for future research on children's social interactions.
Descriptors: Elementary School Students, School Buses, Aggression, Bus Transportation, Interpersonal Relationship, Interaction, Social Environment, Educational Environment, Prosocial Behavior, Student Behavior
Springer. 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-348-4505; e-mail: service-ny@springer.com; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2189
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Elementary Secondary Education; Grade 3; Grade 4; Grade 5
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A