ABSTRACT
Sociometric techniques include a variety of procedures used within social groups to measure such related constructs as social status, popularity, peer acceptance or rejection, and reputation. Sociometric techniques are not new; in fact, they have been used in educational-clinical practice and research since the 1930s. Several important research efforts in this area occurred between the 1960s and 1980s. These landmark studies (e.g., Cowen, Pederson, Babigan, Izzo, & Trost, 1973; Dodge, Coie, & Brakke, 1982; Roff, 1961) emphasized the importance of social functioning in childhood and underscored the importance of clinicians who work with children having a basic knowledge of sociometric assessment methods, regardless of whether they use these techniques on a regular basis.
