Reports that children's beliefs concerning the different characteristics of males and females vary according to the age and sex of the child. (ST)

A study was conducted to examine the task-related help-seeking behavior of 85 third- and fifth-grade boys and girls of varying scholastic ability. Participants, white middle-class children, were blocked into high- and low-ability groups on the basis of word comprehension subscores on the California Achievement Test. Children were presented with 16…

The promise of joking riddles as a developmental index of children's humor was investigated through studying the enjoyment and comprehension of riddles and nonriddles by first-, third-, and fifth-grade normal children. Based on previous studies, it was predicted that enjoyment and comprehension of riddles would increase with age and that the…

In a 2x4x2 factorial design, the effects of sex of child, grade and reward-deservedness on sharing candies with another child were studied in 160 children between kindergarten and third grade. Although there were no significant main effects, there was a significant interaction for grade X reward deservedness on sharing. (Author/SB)

The relationship of expectations and assessments of friendships among third and fifth graders was studied. Particular attention was given to (1) the relationships between friendship expectation (FE), the assessment of present friendships (FA), and friendship reciprocity (FR); (2) gender, racial, and grade level differences in these same three…

A study was conducted to examine young children's ideas about a psychology study in which they had participated, and to assess their perceptions about the voluntary nature of their participation. Subjects were 28 third-grade students and 28 fifth-grade students. Findings indicated that while no significant grade level differences existed in…

Questions designed to assess children's reactions to the ending of friendships were asked in structured interviews involving 64 children (30 third graders and 34 sixth graders). Subjects, divided almost equally by sex, were mostly white and primarily middle-class. Questions were specifically designed to elicit information regarding (1) why and how…

Positively correlated were verbal fluency scores and scores for strategies expected to distinguish levels of verbal fluency among 64 third-graders and 71 sixth-graders. When a smaller sample of similarly aged students completed expanded versions of tasks, results revealed grade and gender differences in strategy use and level of task performance.…

The effects of introducing a microcomputer into an elementary-school classroom were studied using a naturalistic paradigm. Initial questions investigated the impact of the microcomputer on children's behavior, interactions, and responses to available software; and on the teacher's role. Data were fathered through: weekly observation for 4 months;…

Examines the influence of teachers, age, sex, and race on the reading preferences of third, fourth, and fifth grade pupils. Concludes that the tested variables do explain differences, but that there are more similarities than differences. (RS)

Findings of two experiments involving third and fifth graders indicated that subjects' confidence in the correctness of their solutions to verbal tasks influenced the frequency and type of help they sought. Frequency and type of help sought varied with self-assessments for older children more than younger. (RH)

As part of a Feelin' Good intervention program to improve the physical fitness of children in grades 2 through 4, 603 students were tested for muscle strength and flexibility. Complete pre- and posttest data were obtained from 388 students. Two muscle strength tests and two flexibility tests demonstrated consistent sex differences in performance.…

Examined strategy outcome perceptions of popular, average, neglected, and rejected third and fifth graders. Found that children's outcome expectations and strategy evaluations varied as a function of peer status, age, and gender. (RH)

Examines the development of thematic and observational drawings among third and seventh graders, with some receiving formal instructions whereas others did not. Finds that formal instruction did not significantly affect students' drawing achievement, but does find a trend toward decreasing female achievement with age. Makes observations for art…

The relationship between altruistic behavior and popularity found in young children becomes much less defined with older children. In a paired-comparison procedure, 144 children from two elementary schools ranked the relative attractiveness as a potential friend of four fictional children described as altruistic, prosocial-aggressive, good at…