Sociogram Cooperative Clinical Assignment: Class #87 Adrian Price Shannon Hatton Jaclyn Pelka

Introduction  Sociograms help teachers gain a better insight of group dynamics within their classroom. This information may assist with classroom management and cohesive group development.  “Friendship and cohesiveness are part of all classroom groups. Classrooms have a hidden world, which at times too painfully reflects the attraction and hostility among peers that influence the self concepts of individual students.” (Schmuck & Schmuck; 115)

Classroom 87  7 th grade class  29 students  12 males  17 females

Rating System  4 or more positive nominations over negative nominations = star student  5 or more negative votes = rejected student  Controversial ?

Triangles Sex Segregation Patterns of Friendship Functions of Friendship Lunch

8 Stars 3 Rejected 2 Controversial 6 Isolated

Social cleavage In-groups Mutual choices Students 1 & 4 Movie

7 Stars 5 Rejected 1 Controversial 3 Isolated

Social cleavage Mutual choices Intelligence Academic

8 Stars 3 Rejected 2 Controversial 1 Ghost 7 Isolated

8 Negative star students Male to female ratio Adjusted social distance score Centrally structured classroom Negative

Commonalities  Social cleavage between genders was present in all three positive questions, especially the two social questions.  The stars for all three positive nomination questions were: 1, 2, 6, 23  There was only one isolated student for all three positive nomination questions: 5

CooperSmith Inventory Scores: Averages

Adjusted Social Distance Scores: Averages

Locus of Control Scores: Averages

Social Attraction Scores: Averages

Conclusion  Social status generally develops early and remains relatively constant.  The use of sociometry to discover group structure in the classroom can lead to early detection of “socially at risk” children.