Lancelotta, G.X. and S. Vaughn. (1989). Relation Between Types
of Aggression and Sociometric Status: Peer and Teacher
Perceptions. Journal of Educational Psychology, Vol. 81,
Authors Lancelotta and Vaughn have written an article which deals with group behavior in children. Specifically, their sample included forty seven boys and fifty one girls from a fourth grade class in a northern New England elementary school. For purposes of statistical reliability, their teachers were also given modified versions of the measurements.
The purpose of the study was to identify and correlate the relationship between five separate aspects of aggressive behavior to see which, if any, would relate to a certain socio economic status. Using an accepted peer rating scale, Lancelotta and Vaughn measured aggressive behaviors such as provoked physical aggression, outburst aggression, unprovoked physical aggression, verbal aggression, indirect aggression, and distractor items, all as indications of negative group behavior.
The authors found that except for provoked physical aggression, a high degree of correlation existed in certain types of group negative behavior. These types included tattling, stealing, or the abuse of others' property. Furthermore, the authors believe that the degree of negative group behavior is directly related to the gender and economic status of the children. Finally, the teachers' ratings matched more with the male children, but did exhibit a high degree of correlation with the results of the experiment.
The authors base their initial assumptions on theoretical viewpoints from 1959 and 1974, each of which has presumably been accepted by members of the educational field. Compilations of data are included, however, the randomness of the sample is limited since the study is rather small. Even though, the conclusions reached appear sound, and after reviewing the data sets included, the authors' hypothesis is<...