Social problem solving, social behavior, and children's peer popularity.
This study examined social problem-solving ability and peer social behavior in popular and unpopular 5-6-year-old children. The 4 most popular and 4 least popular individuals in a school class of 26 children were identified. Responses to a series of four social dilemmas were obtained, and the children were videotaped during free class activities. Popular children gave significantly more effective (p < .01) and relationship oriented (p < .05) strategies for resolving social dilemmas than unpopular children, and they were involved in more peer interactions (p < .05), were more positively reinforcing (p < .01), and showed more positive activity when alone (p < .01).
Erwin
P G
PG
Department of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Manchester Metropolitan University, England.
D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D010379:Peer Group; D011340:Problem Solving; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D012951:Socialization; D014743:Videotape Recording