TEACHER RATINGS, SOCIOMETRIC STATUS, AND CHOICE-RECIPROCITY OF ANTI-SOCIAL AND NORMAL BOYS

Abstract

Although the literature reflects great interest in the sociometric study of school children, studies documenting the relationship of sociometricallydetermined status to teacher rankings of students, with the latter based on perceived peer popularity, are scarce Of studies subsequent to the pioneering work of Moreno relating peer and teacher ratings, those of Gronlund and of Bonney are outstanding. Moreno found that the accuracy of teachers' judgments was highest in the kindergarten and declined as grade level
increased.? Bonney and Gronlund both concluded from their findings that teachers overrate the students who exhibit adult-desired personality traits and underrate those who, although possessors of interpersonal skills, are not responsive in class and, indeed, may even appear to be anti-social. The stability of these findings, however, is questionable, since Moreno's study group was limited to the first eight grades, Bonney's to high school grades, and Gronlund's principal study to sixth grade classes.