The preschool behavioral classification project: An initial report
1Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, 70803, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Insights
This study adapted the Behavioral Classification Project for preschoolers (4-6 years), identifying 22 distinct factors of child behavior. The Preschool Behavioral Classification Project provides a new tool for understanding early childhood behavioral dimensions.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- The Behavioral Classification Project (BCP) was previously established for older children (6-13 years).
- A need existed to classify behaviors in younger children, specifically preschoolers.
- Existing tools required adaptation for the 4-6 year age group.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extend the Behavioral Classification Project (BCP) to preschool-aged children (4-6 years).
- To establish factorial dimensions of problem and nonproblem behaviors in preschoolers.
- To develop the Preschool Behavioral Classification Project (PBCP) form.
Main Methods:
- Modified the BCP form by removing inapplicable items and adding new ones for preschoolers.
- Administered the new Preschool Behavioral Classification Project (PBCP) form to 1,350 parents.
- Analyzed data from 668 usable forms using principal components analysis with orthogonal and oblique rotations.
Main Results:
- Identified 22 clearly delineated factors with nosological significance.
- Extracted five additional factors containing important behavioral items, though less clearly defined.
- The PBCP form comprised 268 behavioral items and 5 demographic variables.
Conclusions:
- The Preschool Behavioral Classification Project (PBCP) successfully established factorial dimensions for preschooler behaviors.
- The findings provide a framework for understanding and classifying behavioral patterns in early childhood.
- The PBCP offers a valuable tool for researchers and clinicians working with young children.
Abstract:
The Behavioral Classification Project (BCP), previously developed for children from 6-13 years of age, was extended to the preschool ages, the goal being to establish factorial dimensions of problem and nonproblem behaviors of children from 4 to 6 years of age. Initially, behavioral items on the BCP form not applicable to preschoolers were eliminated and replaced with new items. When completed, the Preschool Behavioral Classification Project (PBCP) form contained 268 behavioral items and 5 demographic variables. Forms were administered to 1,350 parents of 4-, 5-, and 6-year-olds, and 668 usable forms were returned. Analysis of the data was done by means of the principal components method in which the data were rotated first to orthogonal simple structure and then to oblique simple structure. Twenty-two clearly delineated factors which made nosological sense were obtained. Five additional factors were extracted and although they were not clearly defined dimensions, they contained important behavioral items.
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