Skip to main content
Log in

Attention styles and peer relationships of hyperactive and normal boys and girls

  • Published:
Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Attention skills of hyperactive and normal boys and girls and behavioral ratings by teachers were investigated. Peer perceptions were obtained using a sociometric measure. Results supported previous research that found attentional deficits in hyperactive children. Results also suggested that hyperactive girls, as well as hyperactive boys, have difficulty with peer relationships. Hyperactive boys and girls displayed different patterns of problem behavior, although both groups displayed more problems than normal boys and girls. Specifically, the hyperactive girls displayed more conduct problem behavior than normal girls, but less than hyperactive boys. Because of the disruptive behavior problems they present, hyperactive boys may be identified earlier than are hyperactive girls.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ackerman P. T., Dykman R. A., & Oglesby D. M. (1983). Sex and group differences in reading and attention disordered children with and without hyperkinesis.Journal of Learning Disabilities, 16, 407–415.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Psychiatric Association. (1980).Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (3rd ed.), Washington, D.C.: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barkley R. A. (1981).Hyperactive children: A handbook for diagnosis and treatment. New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Battle, E. S., & Lacey, B. (1972). A context for hyperactivity in children, over time.Child Development, 43, 757–773.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bower, E. M. (1981).Early identification of emotionally handicapped children in school (3rd ed.). Springfield, Illinois: Charles C Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, S. B., Douglas, V. I., & Morgenstern, G. (1971). Cognitive styles in hyperactive children and the effect of methylphenidate.Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 18, 239–249.

    Google Scholar 

  • Conners, C. K. (1969). A teacher rating scale for use in drug studies with children.American Journal of Psychiatry, 126, 884–888.

    Google Scholar 

  • deHaas, P. A., & Young, R. D. (1984). Attention styles of hyperactive and normal girls.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 12, 531–546.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas, V. I., & Peters, K. G. (1979). Toward a clearer definition of the attentional deficit of hyperactive children. In G. A. Hale & M. Lewis (Eds.),Attention and cognitive development (pp. 173–247). New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Golden, C. J. (1978).The Stroop color and word test: A manual for clinical and experimental uses. Chicago: Stoelting.

    Google Scholar 

  • Juliano, D. B. (1974). Conceptual tempos, activity, and concept learning in hyperactive and normal children.Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 83, 629–634.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kagan, J., Rosman, B. L., Day, D., Albert, J., & Phillips, W. (1964). Information processing in the child: Significance of analytic and reflective attitudes.Psychological Monographs, 78 (1, Whole No. 578).

  • Kashani, J., Chapel, J. L., Ellis, J., & Shekim, W. O. (1979). Hyperactive girls.Journal of Operational Psychiatry, 10, 145–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keogh, B. K., Wetter, J., McGinty, A., & Donlon, G. (1973). Functional analysis of learning-disordered, hyperactive, and mentally retarded boys.Psychology in the Schools, 10, 178–181.

    Google Scholar 

  • King, C. A., & Young, R. D. (1981). Peer popularity and peer communication patterns: Hyperactive versus active but normal boys.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 9, 465–482.

    Google Scholar 

  • Messer, S. B. (1976). Reflection-impulsivity: A review.Psychological Bulletin, 83, 1026–1052.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paulauskas, A. L., & Campbell, S. B. (1979). Social perspective taking and teacher ratings of peer interaction in hyperactive boys.Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 7, 483–493.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prinz, R., & Loney, J. (1974). Teacher-rated hyperactive elementary girls: An exploratory developmental study.Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 4, 246–257.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sandoval, J., Lambert, N. M., & Sassone, D. (1980). The identification and labeling of hyperactivity in children: An interactive model. In C. K. Whalen & B. Henker (Eds.),Hyperactive children: The social ecology of identification and treatment (pp. 145–171). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stroop, J. R. (1935). Studies in interference in serial verbal reactions.Journal of Experimental Psychology, 18, 643–661.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swanson, J., Nolan, W., & Pelham, W. (1981, August).The SNAP rating scale for the diagnosis of attention deficit disorder. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Los Angeles.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

The author wishes to thank the Department of Psychology and the Faculty Research Committee at Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, for their support of this study.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

deHaas, P.A. Attention styles and peer relationships of hyperactive and normal boys and girls. J Abnorm Child Psychol 14, 457–467 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00915438

Download citation

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00915438

Keywords

Navigation