| This study explored the relationship between a child's ability to exert self-control and peer group status among 20 pre-kindergarten and 20 kindergarten children in a university laboratory school. Specific purposes were to determine differences in (a) positive status children's ability to exert self-control between pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children, (b) negative status children's ability to exert self-control between pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children, (c) the two popularity groups of pre-kindergarten children's ability to exert self-control, (d) the two popularity groups of kindergarten children's ability to exert self-control, and (e) ability to exert self-control by gender.;Data analyses revealed no significant differences at or below p ;Findings from this study raise further questions regarding peer status and self-control. For example, several researchers have reported significant differences in peer group status among school-age children. The researchers hypothesized a possible link between peer status and self-control. The present study's findings, along with previously cited research, suggest that further research regarding the correlation of peer status and self-control is needed. Two specific questions that need to be addressed in future research studies include: Is the ability to exert self-control related to peer group status? If so, at what age does self-control begin to correlate with peer group status?;The Sociometric Paired Comparison Procedure was used to measure peer status and the Mischel Technique to measure ability to exert self-control. All analyses were performed using Fisher's Exact Test. |
