An investigation of social competence and behavioral problems of 5-6 year-old children through peer preference, temperament and gender

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Eğitim Fakültesi, Temel Eğitim Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2010

Öğrenci: ÇAĞLA ÖNEREN ŞENDİL

Danışman: FEYZA ERDEN

Özet:

The aim of this study is to investigate differences in peer preference, gender and temperamental characteristics of 5 and 6 year old children on their social competence and behavioral problems. More specifically, the present study examined whether being boy or girl, being more preferred peer or less preferred and different temperamental characteristics differentiates children’s social competence, anger- aggression and anxiety withdrawal related behaviors. Peer preference was determined by the “Picture Sociometry Scale” which was an implementation conducted with children. Teachers were asked to fill the “Social Competence and Behavior Evaluation Scale” for each child participated in the study in their classrooms. Moreover, parents of children participated in the study were requested to complete “Short Temperament Scale for Children”. The participants of this study consisted of 42 5- 6 year old children from one private pre- school in Ankara. Results of this study revealed that, children with higher peer preference showed more social competence. Moreover, children with higher persistence and approach as temperamental characteristics revealed higher social competence while children with higher reactivity as a temperamental characteristic had also higher anger- aggression behavioral problems. However, gender of children did not differentiate children’s social competence, anger- aggression and anxiety withdrawal related behaviors.