Pupil Recall Populations: Size, Shape, and Selection for Peer-Rating Reference Frames

Abstract

Lists of “all persons known” to them were obtained from 50 sixth grade pupils in combined class and take-home sessions. Approximately 13,000 names were recalled. Ratings of these recall persons on a social need succorance scale were subsequently obtained as were peer ratings using the Syracuse Scales of Social Relations. Examinations of the size and composition (adult—non-adult, same sex-opposite sex) and distribution of ratings given his recall persons revealed (a) a wide range in length of recall persons lists, (b) considerably greater listing of non-adult persons and of same sex persons, and (c) a predominance of excessively skewed patterns of ratings. Examination of the selection of recall persons for the Syracuse Scales reference frame revealed appropriate selections of referent persons for the extreme referent positions of “least” and “most” but an undesirably heavy inclusion of highest rated recalled persons in the more medium referent, positions. An r of .54 between the pupil's average rating made of all his recall persons and the average Syracuse Scales rating given his peers indicates that the general leniency (or lack of leniency) in the pupil's ratings given to his much larger recall group tends to extend to those Syracuse Scales ratings given to his peer group.