Social Interaction Patterns of High and Low Status Behaviorally Disordered Students within Self-Contained Classroom Settings: A Pilot Investigation

The purpose of the present investigation was to provide information regarding the social interaction patterns of behaviorally disordered students in self-contained special education programs. The highest and lowest sociometrically rated students in each of three elementary, self-contained special education programs were observed during free play time for 5 minutes each day over a 4-week period. The quantity (frequency), quality (positive or negative), and reciprocal nature of their social interactions with classroom peers were recorded. Results of this investigation indicate that, for the most part, social interactions among behaviorally disordered youngsters were both positive and reciprocal in nature. In addition, no discernible differences were noted between the target-initiated social behavior of high and low status students. However, specific differences were found in peer social behavior that was directed toward the target subjects. High status students were the recipients of (a) higher rates of peer initiations, (b) greater percentages of positive social initiations, and (c) fewer negative social contacts. Low status children, on the other hand, encountered fewer peer-initiated contacts, and of these, a greater percentage were negative in nature. Implications for future research are discussed.