RACE AND PHYSICAL HANDICAP IN CHILDREN'S PREFERENCE FOR OTHER CHILDREN.

The purpose of this study is to determine the relative salience of skin color and physical disability in establishing children's preference for other children. The method employed was' to obtain a rank-order preference of drawings in which skin color and handicap were systematically varied. Subjects were children aged 10-12 from lower-income Negro, white, and Puerto Rican families, and from upper-income while Jewish families. Results suggest that, for all subject, physical handicap is such a powerful cue in establishing preference that it largely masks preference based on skin color. Interpretation of results was aided by use of sociometric data on race preference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]