The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of clothing
conformity on the social interaction of two groups of preschool
children of two socio-economic classes. Subjects were six randomly
selected children from a group of fifteen nursery school children,
representing the middle economic class and six children from a group
of thirteen Head Start children designated as lower economic class.
The subjects were observed for 45 minutes while engaged in free
play periods. Three separate observation series were conducted while
the subjects were wearing their own play clothes, experimental garments,
and when again dressed in their own play clothing.
Statistical analysis of the number of verbalizations initiated by
subjects to themselves and to others indicated that clothing conformity
did not appear to affect preschool children's social interactions.
There were no lasting interactional trends, and experimental clothing
did not affect the social interaction of children of middle and lower
economic backgrounds.
Anecdotal records revealed that the lower-class children had considerable
interest in and awareness of clothing. This was in contrast
to an extreme lack of interest exhibited by the middle—class children.
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