Peer Status and Personality Characteristics of Learning Disabled and Nondisabled Students

Abstract

This study explored the peer status, self-concept, perceived peer status, friendship preferences, and interpersonal needs of LD and nondisabled students. Although some of these variables have been discussed before, they have not previously been studied in the same group of students. It was found that learning disabied students were less popular and had poorer self-concepts than contrast students and were less accurate than contrast students in assessing their own social status. They appear, however, to have chosen friends on the same basis as other students. They evidenced the same interpersonal needs as contrast students, except they had a higher need to express control.