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)

Findings provide tentative support for the hypothesis that strategy information derived from enactive interviews is more predictive of children's behavior in peer situations than is information derived from the verbal interview method. This suggests that preschool children automatically access cognitive scripts for behavior in social interactions.…

This article examines the role of the support and advisory teacher in serving handicapped students in the British educational system. Stressed is the process of developing a positive profile so that teachers perceive the support staff positively. A model of varieties of credibility is applied to the support teacher's role. (DB)

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…

Argues that researchers must broaden conceptual frameworks, broaden samples, and broaden methods used in the study of rejected peers in light of Merten's work (PS 524 830). Suggests that conceptual frameworks must consider the full range of characteristics that contribute to peer status, and be sensitive to contextual factors that shape peer group…

Relations between friendship and group acceptance were examined by assessing multiple dimensions of adolescents' (n=77) peer relationships at summer camp. Results indicated distinctions should be made between friendships and group acceptance and between positive and negative aspects of peer relationships. Both types of relationships are important…

Investigated how peer acceptance and friendship were related to self-esteem in adolescents. Ninth-grade students (n=542) were classified by sociometric group and presence or absence of reciprocal friendships. Results indicate no significant difference in self-esteem scores across sociometric groups. Subjects with one friend had higher self-esteem…

Two studies examined the effect of school entrance age on the social acceptance and self-perceptions of kindergarten and first-grade children. Teachers' ratings and peer nominations described initial social problems in youngest children, which were overcome by first grade. Found no differences in self-reported school adjustment, loneliness,…

Twenty-four socially rejected children were coached on the importance of displaying behaviors known to be used by peers in making inferences of liking and then were encouraged to communicate these behaviors toward selected friendship targets within their own classroom groups. Significant treatment-related improvements were found in these…

This article analyzes research on children's perceptions of emotional and behavioral difficulties. Virtually all studies concur that peers hold negative views of externalizing behavior problems. Findings suggest that professionals need to target peer-identified behavioral and social skill goals and develop programming aimed at normalization to…

Explores the impact of having a hearing-impaired peer on preschool children's understanding of hearing and deafness, comparing children with and without a hearing-impaired peer. All children referred to their own experiences to explain hearing loss. Children with a hearing-impaired classmate understood sign language and the consequences of hearing…

Examined the relation between peer relationships in 6th grade and the number of sexual partners in 10th grade for 77 boys. Found that peer rejection in sixth grade was associated with number of sexual partners four years later; peer acceptance was also associated with number of sexual partners, but for different reasons. (HTH)

This article reports results of a survey of general educators, special educators, and classmates involved in the integration of middle school students with severe disabilities into eight general education classes in two communities. Integration was perceived positively by all of the educators and by most of the students. (DB)