ABSTRACT
Identifying variables that may influence the evaluation of behaviors in children has implication to diagnostic and psychological intervention. This study focused the mothers' and teachers' estimative about the social performance displayed by children with, and without behavior problems in five structured social situations, analyzing convergences and divergences (underestimation and overestimation) between informants and between estimative of informants and recorded performance, besides differences among situations in relation to indicators. Twenty-six children were divided into four groups: internalizing behavior problems (CPI), externalizing (CPE), mixed (CPM), and with social skills (CHS). The results indicated: more convergence to CHS group; more divergence associated with underestimation to CPI and to situation of defending one's own rights, as also overestimation to CPM group. Implications to research, clinical, and educational practices were discussed.
Keywords:
social competence; behavior disorders; estimation; observation methods; preschoolers
