Observations were conducted to identify student behaviors that relate to students' functioning, defined first as social status within the group, and second as behavior problems perceived by the teacher. Fifty-four fifth grade boys and girls, from seven classrooms that were organized into two units, were observed over a 10-week period during both…

This study was undertaken to explore the cultural stereotype that boys are more object-oriented and girls are more people-oriented. A total of 38 white, middle class, preschool children were observed during their free play hour at nursery school when a variety of people and objects were freely available to them. Each child was observed with a time…

This paper presents: (1) an extension of comparison theory to behavior in the elementary classroom; (2) a description of interaction methodology used to determine the occurrence of comparison behavior; and (3) summaries of three studies which test various theoretical implications about the nature of comparison behavior in the classroom. (CK)

The study examines and compares free/spontaneous play behaviors of 20 Hispanic (from Ponce, Puerto Rico) and 20 Anglo (from State College, Pennsylvania) 5-year-old children from middle class socioeconomic strata. Within each of the groups there were 10 boys and 10 girls. Each child was observed in a group play setting in four observational…

It is argued that the sexes get different feedback from the culture, and from teachers in particular. The hypothesis is explored that teachers are less responsive to and interested in girls than boys, and that the feminine strategy of withdrawal and avoidance of assertiveness develops in response to these teacher behaviors. Subjects were eight…

Ninety-eight first grade children were observed and tested on measures of classroom behavior, task performance, and physiological arousal level. In general, sex differences were found to be minimal, and were significant on only three out of the eighteen variables investigated. Results indicated that males were rated by teachers and observers as…

This study explored the functioning of exploratory and cautious children in open classrooms. Four areas of functioning were focused on: curiosity and exploration, learning and mastery, autonomous behavior, and interpersonal contacts. Thirty exploratory and 30 cautious children were selected through teacher ratings and exploratory tasks and…