Behavioral comparisons of liked and disliked hyperactive children in play contexts and the behavioral accommodations by their classmates.

This study examined the behavioral differences among liked and disliked hyperactive children and their normal peers during joint activities. 25 hyperactive children and 39 normal control subjects were selected and observed in high- and low-structured play settings (counterbalanced for order) in one of 3 dyadic groupings (10 liked hyperactive children, each with a control; 15 disliked hyperactive children, each with a control; and 7 control-control pairs). For the most part, the differences observed did not depend on setting or gender comparisons. Hyperactive children were more active, talkative, and physically off-task than their peers, but they made fewer positive social statements. Disliked hyperactive children made more negative statements with accompanying negative physical interactions. Specifically, in response to disliked hyperactive children, normal partners became more negative and active, were less talkative and cooperative, and engaged in more solitary play than when playing with other normal children.