Predicting Children's Sociometric Status from Their Behavior

PUTALLAZ, MARTHA. Predicting Children's Sociometric Status from Their Behavior. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1983, 54, 1417-1426. 22 boys were videotaped during their summer before first grade as they attempted to enter a group of 2 unfamiliar boys. The 2 boys, who were experimental confederates, engaged in a series of scripted games and presented several scripted problematic social situations to the subjects. The subjects' behavior was used to predict their sociometric status 4 months later in first grade. Results indicated that the tendency of subjects to fit into the group they entered by contributing relevant conversation was predictive of their social status even after controlling for intelligence. Further, this relationship was enhanced for those subjects who accurately perceived the group's behavior, as assessed in a postsession interview.