The study investigated possible differences between 113 children identified as emotionally handicapped and 368 normal children with regard to cognitive complexity (ability to differentiate among behavioral dimensions in the social environment). (Author/SB)

Pre-existing cognitions may influence a child's social perceptions, and the extent of this influence is measured in groups of children from grades 1-6. The children were shown slide shows of congruous (e.g. doctor befriending bullied child) and incongruous (e.g. minister shoplifting) interpersonal behavior. Half of the children saw stories in…

Forty-three preschoolers (14 three-, 16 four-, and 13 five-year-olds), who were attending four multi-age, child-centered classes in a University laboratory school, were assessed for perceptual, cognitive, and affective role-taking ability. These same children were then observed naturalistically (via systematic time sampling) in laboratory…

Elementary school children were asked to recall information about individuals either labeled elderly or not labeled at all. Found that children rated the elderly as unattractive, poor, sad, and sick and also had negative feelings about being old. Results suggest that children's concepts or stereotypes about the elderly affect the organization and…