The purpose of the present study is to find out differences in communication patterns in relation to peer interaction styles and social status. The research questions in this study are :
1. Do children communication patterns differ in peer interac...
The purpose of the present study is to find out differences in communication patterns in relation to peer interaction styles and social status. The research questions in this study are :
1. Do children communication patterns differ in peer interaction styles?
2. Do children communication patterns differ in social status?
3. Do communication patterns differ in relation to peer interaction styles and social status?
The total subjects were 100 five-year-old children in three child care centers located in Seoul. Children were grouped into popular(22), controversial(19), rejected(19), neglected(16), and normal(22) based on the results of a sociometric assessment.
The positive and negative nomination procedure (Coie, Dodge & Coppetelli, 1982) was used to measure social status. To classify communication patterns, the tool used in the study of Black and Logan(1995) were revised with pilot study. Communication patterns included "turn-taking skills" and "utterance types" as expressed in peer interaction during free play interaction.
To find the level of reliability in communication patterns 18 five-year-old children were examined in pilot study. Results showed a level of reliability of 0.89.
Children were observed and video taped in a small playroom equipped with a variety of toys and props designed to elicit collaborative interaction. The children were observed in three types of interaction situation(dyad, host in triad, entry in triad) and were measured their social status.
Data were analyzed with Analysis of variance(ANOVA) and Multivariate repeated-measures analysis of variance(MANOVA) to find out the differences in communication patterns in peer interaction and social status.
The results of this study can be summarized as follows:
1. There were significant differences in the child communication patterns of each peer interaction style. When the child is host in a triad, took more communication than when in a dyad or entry in triad situation.
2. There were significant differences in the communication patterns of social status. Popular children communicated positively and appropriately for the smooth progression of play. Unpopular children took many irrelevant turns, interrupted others, made demands, etc.
3. There were significant differences in the communication patterns according to peer interaction styles and social status. When the entry in a triad, rejected children took many irrelevant turns, and frequently took turns that interrupt when the host in a triad. Popular children made many suggestions and explanations when the host in a triad.