Effects of Classroom Composition on the Development of Antisocial Behavior in Lower Secondary School

Early adolescence is a critical period during which classroom composition may affect behavioral development. This study investigated whether classmates' levels of aggression and delinquency influenced individual behavior during the first year of secondary school. At this point, students had just transitioned to a new classroom peer environment. A short-term longitudinal design with four measurement points distributed across the school year was applied. Data were collected from the anonymous self-reports of 825 7th graders. Longitudinal negative binomial multilevel analyses revealed that classmates’ antisocial behavior influenced pupils’ behavioral development (other peer influences were controlled). Furthermore, classroom behavioral heterogeneity did not moderate this effect

An overview of classroom composition research on social-emotional outcomes – Introduction to the Special Issue

Müller CM, Zurbriggen C. An overview of classroom composition research on social-emotional outcomes – Introduction to the Special Issue. Journal of Cognitive Education and Psychology. 2016;15(2):163-184