Children's Communication Accuracy Related to Race and Socioeconomic Status.

Ninety-six fifth-grade children--representing all combinations of male and female, low and middle socioeconomic status, and Negro and white characteristics--were arranged in pairs with peers of the same sex, economic background, and race. The pairs were observed in a two-party communication situation which involved the exchange of descriptive information in order to identify similar pictures. Results showed that middle socioeconomic class pairs were significantly more accurate in the picture identification than were the lower class pairs and that white pairs were significantly more accurate than Negro pairs. Observed differences could not be attributed to differences in IQ nor to differences in amount of verbal discussion required to complete the task. Differences between SES groups were partly attributed to the middle-class groups' ability to communicate more critical attributes about the pictures. These differences in language usage which are related to the accurate exchange of information have important implications for the design and content of language arts curricula. (Tables of results and selected references are provided.) (Author/LH)