Determinants for Students' Attitudes Toward Peers With Noncompliant Classroom Behavior in Inclusive Primary Schools

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: Focus on Behavior in Special and Inclusive Education

Abstract

Students’ attitudes towards peers with non-compliant behavior are central indicators for their social participation in inclusive education. In our study, we investigated if students’ attitudes towards peers with non-compliant behavior are predicted by their contact experiences with peers with non-compliant behavior, and their experiences of having behavioral difficulties or special educational needs (SEN) themselves. N=589 fourth grade primary school students and their teachers completed a ‘paper-pencil’-questionnaire. Results from a multilevel regression analysis revealed that students’ attitudes are significantly affected by their contact experiences. Overall, our findings emphasize the importance of students’ contact experiences for their attitudes towards peers with non-compliant behavior and mark an important initial point for the implementation of interventions that foster positive attitudes through contacts.

Authors

• Marwin Felix Loeper, Paderborn University

• Mike Lehofer, University of Graz

• Susanne Schwab, University of Vienna

• Frank Hellmich, Paderborn University