SOCIOMETRY

SOCIOMETRY

Moreno developed Sociometry as one of the newly developing social sciences.  He states "The chief methodological task of Sociometry has been the revision of the experimental method so that it can be applied effectively to social phenomena”

fig1.Jacob Moreno 

Sociometry is a quantitative method for measuring social relationships and is based on the fact that people make choices in interpersonal relationships.  The term Sociometry relates to its Latin etymology, socius meaning companion, and metrum meaning measure. Jacob Moreno defined Sociometry as "the inquiry into the evolution and organization of groups and the position of individuals within them." He goes on to write "As the science of group organization, it attacks the problem not from the outer structure of the group, the group surface, but from the inner structure". "Sociometric explorations reveal the hidden structures that give a group its form: the alliances, the subgroups, the hidden beliefs, the forbidden agendas, the ideological agreements, the ‘stars’ of the show."

Data collection is done by asking proper questions.  The question must indicate to the subjects the setting or scope of choice. Thus, if the setting is a classroom it is appropriate to phrase the question accordingly (“With which students in the classroom would you like to discuss this problem?”). Otherwise, the subjects might choose such persons as the teacher, friends or relatives outside the classroom, or even experts whom they do not know personally. The planned activity (in this case, a classroom discussion) should also be clearly defined so that the subjects know for what purpose the choice is made.  The patterns of expressed choices can be represented graphically in the Sociogram, which involves the use of some geometric figures to indicate each person (for example, a circle with a name in it) and connecting lines or arrows showing the direction of the choices. Although the use of Sociogram in early studies was haphazard, several empirically-based and theoretically important concepts were derived from them by Moreno and others.

Important Methods to Analyses Sociometric Data 

Sociometric Matrix

Sociogram

Sociometric Index

Sociometric Matrix. Sociometric matrix is a matrix is a rectangular array (arrangement) of numbers of other symbols, Sociometric are a square matrix and the collection of data by asking questions like with whom you want to create a group and saying them to choose any two or three of members among the group, a member selected will be 1 and others scored as 0.

By analyzing the matrix we can construct some ideas about the group

Star.  The person gets maximum number of choices

Isolate.  The person gets zero individual choices

Clique.  A group of 3 or more than 3 mutually choosing each other

Example:  Group of 5 members responds to Sociometric questions with whom would you like to work on a project, .choose any 3 individual

Choose denoted by 1 nonchoice denoted by 0

Table 1

Sociometric matrix

	A	B	C	D	E
A	0	1	0	1	1
B	0	1	0	1	1
C	0	1	1	1	0
D	0	0	1	1	1
E	1	0	0	1	1
total	01	03	02	05	04

Sociogram.  An A sociogram is the graphical representation of social links that a person has or it is the graph plots the structure of interpersonal relationship in a group situation.

Fig2.Sociogram

Isolates One of the alerts a teacher gets from this is that there are both boys and girls the isolates who no one has chosen or who have only been chosen by another isolate. While it is wise to have a certain degree of philosophical skepticism in making initial assumptions about isolates, they are a cause for concern. You want to make sure they feel connected and supported in the classroom (‘Sociometry’, n.d.).

Sociometric Index.  Sociometric choices and other relations are measured using indices

Choice states index of a person A= ∑CA/N-1.

∑CA=Sum of choices in common A

N-1 = member individual in the group.

Group cohesive index GC = (∑(MC)/n(n-1))/2

∑MC = Sum of mutual choices or pair.

Why Sociometry Are Valuable in Education

Research on social-emotional learning suggests that students’ ability to learn is inextricably linked to the classroom environment. In order to feel comfortable trying new things and mastering new skills, kids must first feel safe and supported. A healthy classroom environment isn’t a neat bonus for kids. It’s essential for learning to occur. In addition to observation and practical knowledge, formal data collection on classroom relationships can be instrumental in helping teachers create this positive classroom culture.  A sociogram is one tool that can help teachers get valuable data about the class’s social relationships (in 1997, Countries, Over 100, & Action, 2012).

               

Conclusion

The social side of the classroom is perhaps equally important as, and inseparable from, the academic side. The school is the sea. The students are fish. Only when the sea is healthy and at the right temperature can the fish thrive.  Sociogram won’t necessarily give the teacher the answers to classroom social problems, but they can serve as a guide and a useful tool. They can help focus our awareness on students who may not feel connected and need extra attention. It’s simply another useful tool for teachers to use as they try to set up a supportive learning environment.

Reference 

in 1997, S. S. S. supports people to create positive change-everywhere all the time F., Countries, T. O. N. H. O. in 11+, Over 100, C. P. in, & Action, I. the W. P. R. for P. E. I. into. (2012, May8)
Sociograms—Mapping the Emotional Dynamics of a Classroom • Six Seconds. Retrieved 20 August 2019, 
from Six Seconds website: https://www.6seconds.org/2012/05/08/sociograms-mapping-the-emotional-dynamics-of-a-classroom/

Sociometry. (2019). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sociometry&oldid=907640032

Sociometry. (n.d.). Retrieved 20 August 2019, from https://www.slideshare.net/FIROZQURESHI/sociometry-57965435

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sociometry from SYAMA BALACHANDRAN