Provides a conceptual and empirical analysis of the associations between the fundamental sociometric dimensions of acceptance, rejection, and social preference. Examines whether nomination and rating scale measures index the same constructs. Notes that sociometric ratings measure social preference, but can also yield indicators of acceptance and…

Explored whether teacher feedback modified first and second graders' preferences and perceptions concerning a target child with behavior problems. Found that feedback had at least minimal effects at each level (liked, average, disliked) of the target's reputation. When combined with a liked reputation, positive and neutral-salient feedback…

Assessed preschoolers' peer aggression and emotional displays outside of and during aggressive interactions, their emotion knowledge, and peer acceptance. Found that connections between affective dispositions and aggression and peer acceptance varied as a function of the emotion context and the particular emotion involved. Significant connections…

Six case studies investigated the outcomes of inclusive education on six children with mild mental retardation. In five cases, teachers had attempted to modify their programs to provide individualized instruction for high-risk children. All six children made very poor academic progress and five were poorly accepted socially by their classmates.…

This article briefly summarizes how peer associations, hierarchical social structures, and social roles contribute to the development and maintenance of antisocial behaviors. Questions are provided that interventionists must consider in shaping interventions. The need for interventions to change social contextual support for problem behavior is…

Comparison of children enrolled in regular (N=31) and inclusive (N=29) preschool programs found that children in inclusive settings had more knowledge of disabilities and gave higher acceptance ratings to children with and without disabilities than did children in regular preschool classes. (DB)

Compared adjustment of 30 young adults who had a stable, reciprocal best friend in fifth grade and 30 who did not. Found that lower peer rejection uniquely predicted overall life status adjustment. Friended preadolescents had higher general self-worth in adulthood, even after controlling for perceived preadolescence competence. Peer rejection and…

This article reviews research on the social functioning of students with learning disabilities (LD) and draws implications for the inclusion of students with LD in regular education classrooms. Social skills, self-concept, friendships, and social networks are addressed. It argues that the social dimensions of placement decisions for these students…

A study compared the effects of social integration activities and group friendship activities in enhancing social relations with two preschoolers with disabilities in two inclusive classrooms. Results indicated differential benefits across the two approaches, suggesting a need to tailor the selection of interventions to the individual child's…

A study focused on listeners' perceptions of three children (ages 3-5), one with specific language impairment (SLI). The listeners consisted of 30 teachers, speech-language pathologists, undergraduates, and sixth-graders. All four listener groups consistently perceived the child with SLI more negatively. The need to be aware of social bias is…

This study examined the connections between children's self-representations at age 5 and their self-perceptions, socioemotional competence, and peer acceptance at age 8. Findings generally revealed the expected connections between the positiveness of self at age 5 and self-perceptions and socioemotional functioning 3 years later, supporting the…

Explains how parents can help their middle school students cope with cliques and find a sense of belonging in a healthy, positive way. This includes helping them identify the school's social hierarchy (the popular group, fringe group, friendship circles, and loners); discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each group; and helping them…

Tested whether social comparisons with probably less fortunate others differently affected boys and girls' cognitive performance in circumstances maximizing concerns about social integration and peer acceptance. Results from 64 French 10- to 12-year-old children show boys performed better than girls when adverse social comparison was anticipated,…

Examines 8-12 year olds' peer assessment of prosocial behavior and their relationship to self-assessment, teacher assessments, and peer acceptance. Reports that popular children were rated as significantly more prosocial, while rejected children were rated as significantly less prosocial than all other groups. Includes references. (CMK)

A survey of 792 hearing students (ages 10-20) in 22 Spanish schools found students with deafness are well received socially by hearing classmates. Hearing students in general felt that students with deafness might be better looked after at a special school and did not work as hard as hearing students. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)