Investigated males' and females' sociometric evaluation of same- and opposite-sex elementary school classmates. Sex differences were noted. (Author/DB)

Preschool children observed during periods of free play were assessed on two measures: Parten Scale for social participation and teachers' rating of children's social behavior. Discussion of results includes implications of relationship of positive and negative behaviors, inverse relationship between teacher-directed and group positive behaviors,…

Investigated the effect of similarity and reciprocity on dyadic friendship choices in third- and sixth-grade students. Reciprocal (mutual) friendships were more similar in proximity, popularity, and self-concept than those in nonreciprocal (nonmutual) dyads. Results are discussed in relation to the interpersonal attraction theories. (Author/DST)

Investigated impact of peer group acceptance and gender on quality of artwork produced by predominantly European-American friendship dyads of third through sixth graders. Found that high-accepted (according to sociometric ratings) dyads' artwork was rated higher in quality than low- and dissimilar-accepted dyads' artwork. Females raters…

Used vignettes to investigate children's integration of information on behavior, body weight, and sex when forming peer impressions. Found that positively behaving peers were liked more and attributed more positive traits than negatively behaving peers. Also found that boys, but not girls, believed that peers would evaluate average weight,…

Compared sociometric ratings, friendship nominations, and social behavior nominations of mutual friends to peer-nominated aggression for third- through six-graders. Found that aggression was negatively related to friendship and passive/solitary behavior nominations. Indicated that peers may support gender-normative aggression while rejecting…

Investigated relations between sex, social status, and temperament among preschool-age children. Found that rejected children had a higher activity level, higher distractibility, and lower persistence than popular children. Both rejected and neglected children were rated as displaying lower adaptability and more negative mood than popular…

Examined preschoolers' peer acceptance, aggression, and peer competence. Found that children with at least one mutual friend were better liked by peers and were rated by teachers as being more competent than children with no mutual friend. Children with at least one mutual friend were better liked by peers a year later than children with no mutual…

Examines the relationship between parents' knowledge of and satisfaction with their children and the children's sociometric status. Results suggest important links between parents' knowledge and role satisfaction and social competence in children's peer relations. (Author/BB)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between sex, social status and social behavior in a sample of Australian preschool-aged children. Social behavior has emerged as an important predictor of social status for children in middle childhood however, although early childhood may be an optimum period for implementation of…

Gender segregation in the classroom is advocated as academically beneficial, particularly for girls. However, the social impact for children has received little attention. The present study compared children's peer relations following the transition from mixed-sex fourth-grade classrooms to same-sex fifth-grade classrooms, and beyond into same-sex…

Two studies of nursery school children examined the relationship between friendships and sociometric judgments of social status. (Author/BB)

Examined children's perceptions of peer behaviors to identify those likely to result in social rejection. Found three behavior groups leading to negative peer evaluation: academic- disruptive, anxious-depressed, and aggressive-antisocial. Found younger children were more negative toward disruptive and aggressive behavior, older children more…

Self-reports of depression, anxiety, conduct problems, and somatization were collected from 449 elementary-school children in central Italy. Peers completed sociometric nominations for play partners. Socially rejected children rated themselves as having significantly more conduct problems than other social-status groups. Sociometrically neglected…

Examined fourth, fifth, and sixth graders' self-conceptualizations about their own appearance in relation to peer evaluations of social behaviors. The children also indicated how important they believed appearance to be for peer relationships. Found that the association of appearance self-discrepancies and particular behavior dispositions occurred…