S u m m a r y

Hynninen T & Haapasalo J (1996)

Why are aggressive and withdrawn children not popular?

Psykologia 31/3: (194-198). Rauma ISSN 0355-1067.

 

In this review we discuss school-age children who have social skill deficits. These children can be classified into the groups of neglected, withdrawn and aggressive-rejected children. The neglected children use avoidant social strategies and this makes it hard for the other children to get to know them. The withdrawn children tend to be anxious and dependent on the adults in social situations. They use more indirect than assertive social strategies with their peers. The aggressive-rejected children fail to accurately observe and interpret social cues given by other children. They use ineffective strategies, such as commanding others. The aggressive-rejected children need to learn basic social skills in order to become accepted by others. Otherwise they may be at risk for maladjustment, criminal and antisocial behavior later in life. More information is needed from parents, teachers and children to find out which social-cognitive skills are important for the children at a certain age.

 

Key words:

Social skills, aggression, rejection, withdrawal, school-age children, peer relations.

 

Tuula Hynninen, M.A., Lieksa Family Clinic, Finland.

Jaana Haapasalo, Ph.D., Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, PO. Box 35, FIN-40351 Jyväskylä, Finland.