Consensus and stability of peer acceptance-rejection status in emotionally disturbed children

Three questions were investigated: the stability of children's sociometric status over periods of one to 11 months in a treatment cottage, extent of consensus regarding the most liked and most disliked child, and the relationship of the general negative behavior level in the cottage and consensus. Seventeen boys in residence two or more months responded to sociometric questions monthly. Cottage behavior level was determined through daily use of a checklist. In 10 of the 11 months there was greater agreement regarding the most disliked peer. The negative cottage behavior level was found to be related to the nature of consensus. Stability in status from month to month was found to be related to children's Like or Dislike status.