An Exploratory Study of the Development of Social Sensitivity in Elementary School Children

Abstract

Two studies were conducted concurrently to determine whether there are significant differences in selected characteristics between economically disadvantaged and economically advantaged five-year-olds. The areas investigated included physical skills, social skills, language skills, intelligence, emotional disturbance, creativity in the use of materials, curiosity, attention to and interest in stories, preference for rewards, sensory discrimination ability, problem solving ability, and ability to conserve, Eight null hypotheses were supported, three null hypotheses were not supported, and three null hypotheses were partially supported.