Developmental changes were examined in the associations among physical and relational aggression, and sociometric and perceived popularity based on peer nominations. Participating in the longitudinal study were 905 children (440 girls, 465 boys) from ages 10 to 14. Associations between the forms of status and between the forms of aggression…

The dyadic interaction of popular and unpopular children was compared. Analysis revealed that unpopular children were more disagreeable and less likely to provide a general reason or rule for their disagreement or to suggest a constructive alternative when criticizing a peer. (Author/MP)

A total of 95 boys between 6 and 12 years of age were assigned to 1 of 4 groups based on the presence or absence of aggression and rejection and were assessed for conduct problems, sociability, and adaptability to peer expectations. Discusses the distinct problem profiles that emerged. (MDM)

Considered the relation between peer status and aggressive behavior, the temporal relation between peer group behavior and emerging sociometric status, differences in behavioral correlates of peer status as a function of time that peers have known each other, and age differences in the consistency of status across settings and in behavior patterns…

Peer interactions of abused and nonabused children in a day care setting were evaluated. Abused children initiated fewer positive interactions with peers and exhibited a higher proportion of negative behaviors than did nonabused children. Peers viewed abused children as less well liked than nonabused children. (BC)

This study examined, in 3 cohorts (1990, 1998, and 2002) of elementary school children (M age10 years), relations between social functioning and adjustment in different phases of the societal transition in China. Data were obtained from multiple sources. The results indicate that sociability-cooperation was associated with peer acceptance and…

Two studies are reported which demonstrate a positive relationship between sociometric status (after two weeks of intense social interaction) and social acceptance judged from photographs by an independent group of peers. Acceptance was found to be related to physical attractiveness. (ST)

Groups of 30 children (kindergarten, second, fourth, and sixth grades) were shown videotapes of four types of conversations between two stimulus children. In each videotape, one child began conversation, and other child responded, each of them making either a high- or low-intimate self-disclosure. Findings indicated that norm of reciprocity…

Four studies based on two longitudinal investigations examined the relation between social rejection and increased antisocial behavior. Found that early peer rejection (ages 6 to 8) predicted growth in aggression (at ages 10 to 12); findings were replicated in children ages 5 to 8. Rejection exacerbated antisocial development only among children…

This study evaluated the relations of peer status, self-perceptions, and other-perceptions of social competence among 9- and 11-year-old children. Self-esteem, self-perception in different domains, and teachers' assessments were examined along with peer status. (PCB)

The influence of social and cognitive developmental processes on the construction of social reputation was assessed by having first-, third-, and fifth-grade boys and girls provide free descriptions of their classmates. (PCB)

Assessed the extent to which preferential personal attraction was associated with behavioral similarity among newly acquainted children. Found that "discriminating" children were more behaviorally similar to preferred playmates than nonpreferred playmates, both in terms of cognitive play style and social participation. (AA)

Examined the hypothesis that young children's social behavior in stable groups of peers becomes relationship specific to some extent with increasing group socialization and predicts important developmental outcomes beyond these relationships, such as social self-esteem in middle childhood when children attend different peer groups. The hypothesis…

This study assessed 113 children in eight Head Start classrooms using both sociometric measures of acceptance and rejection and observational measures of behavior when alone, when interacting with peers, and when interacting with the teacher. Results suggested that these two measures of social isolation do not tap the same dimension. (Author/JMB)

Describes two versions of a new pictorial scale of perceived competence and social acceptance, a downward extension of the Perceived Competence Scale for Children. Both versions, one for preschoolers/kindergarteners and one for first/second graders, tap four domains: cognitive competence, physical competence, peer acceptance, and maternal…