Labeling By Self and Others

Abstract

Male children (n = 155) between the ages of 8 and 16 who were referred by various professionals, i.e., teachers, school counselors, psychiatrists, and social workers, and were defined as being anti-social and 221 children defined as pro-social were observed for two hours a week at a community center. Behavioral ratings were secured for 30 weeks. Children were pretested and posttested on self-inventories to measure anti-social behavior. In addition, significant adults, such as group counselors, filled out pre-and posttest inventories to measure anti-social behavior. The behavioral data revealed that the two categories of children did not significantly differ in incidence of pro-social and anti-social behavior. However, data provided by self-inventories were not consistent with the behavioral data. The results are discussed in terms of relevance for labeling theory.,-he existing literature in the behavioral sciences reports substantial research under way to develop treatment strategies to change anti-social children (Segal, 1972;Shireman et al.