The current study was designed to examine characteristics associated with interaction in group versus dyads in middle childhood. Two classes of children in grades one through five participated in the study. Children were identified by their peers as participating in groups or dyads. Teachers then rated the characteristics of these children. Analyses of children interacting in groups versus dyads showed that both boys and girls in groups were perceived to be more competitive, to value their friends more, to receive more attention from peers and to be more emotionally expressive than children interacting in dyads. It was also found that boys in both groups and dyads were perceived to lack more self-control and to be more active and loud than girls. The measures of self-confidence, lack of self-control, emotional difficulties, activity level, and thoughtfulness did not differ for children who interacted in groups versus dyads. Findings are discussed in terms of the functions of group versus dyadic interaction.

The current study was designed to examine sex differences in the importance of peer relations. Interviews were conducted with 85 elementary school children from grades one, four, and six. As documented in earlier studies, boys and girls showed a clear preference for same-age, same-sex peers. There were no sex differences in children's desire to marry or how often they thought about marriage. Sex differences were found in how much children desired to play with the popular girl and boy in their class. Females desired to play with the popular girl significantly more than with the popular boy in grade one. Males desired to play with the popular boy more than the popular girl in grades one and six. Finally, females did not differ in number of girls versus boys with whom they played in their favorite activities at any grade level. In contrast, in both grades four and six, males named significantly more boys than girls in their favorite activities. Results are discussed in terms of the importance of same-sex peer relationships for males and females.

Typescript. / Thesis (D.P.H.)--University of Hawaii at Manoa, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 205-218). / Microfiche. / xiii, 218 leaves, bound 29 cm

Thesis (M.A.)--University of North Carolina Wilmington, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves: [38]-39)

Thesis (M.A.)--Bowling Green State University, 2007. / Document formatted into pages; contains v, 57 p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. P. H.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Also available in print.

Thesis (B.A. Hons.) from the Department of Psychology, University of Adelaide.

Thesis (B.A.(Hons.)) -- University of Adelaide, Department of Psychology, 1980.

Thesis (B.A. (Hons.))-- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Psychology, 1977.

Thesis (M.Ed.) -- University of Adelaide, Department of Education, 1981.