Author Question: Describe how sociometric techniques work and how they can inform our understanding of peer ... (Read 96 times)

jasdeep_brar · **on:** Jun 22, 2018

Describe how sociometric techniques work and how they can inform our understanding of peer acceptance.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

In contrast with younger children, older children rehearse

a. differently but less efficiently.
b. in the same way, with the same efficiency.
c. in the same way but more efficiently.
d. differently and more efficiently.

scikid · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Perhaps no other aspect of children's social lives has received more attention than peer acceptance: the extent to which a child is viewed by peers as a worthy or likable companion. Typically, researchers assess peer acceptance through self-report instruments called sociometric techniques (Jiang & Cillessen, 2005). In a sociometric survey, children might be asked to nominate several classmates whom they like and several whom they dislike. Another method is to ask children to rate every other child in the group on a 5-point likeability scale (ranging from really like to play with to really don't like to play with (Cillessen & Bukowski, 2000; DeRosier & Thomas, 2003; Terry & Coie, 1991). Sociometric results suggest that sociometric status (based on liking) and peer popularity (based on who is perceived as popular) are somewhat different constructs, and children don't necessarily like popular children (Cillessen, 2004; LaFontana & Cillessen, 2002). Even three- to five-year-olds can respond appropriately to sociometric surveys (Denham et al., 1990); their choices (or ratings) correspond reasonably well to teacher ratings of peer popularity. This suggests that sociometric surveys provide valid assessments of children's social standing in their peer groups (Hymel, 1983).

Answer to Question 2

D