Aggression and Sociometric Status with Preschool Children

A naturalistic time-sampling observational technique and a picture sociometric interview were used in studying the relationship between aggressive behavior and social status among preschool children. It was found that males, overall, were more aggressive than females. Additionally, when only those children who were above the median on amount of aggression for their own sex were identified, the following relationship between sex, social status and amount of aggression was noted: high aggressive male children tended to be unpopular rather than popular, while high aggressive female children tended to be popular rather than unpopular. Suggestions for future research relative to other parameters of aggression were discussed.