Initial evidence for the reliability and validity of a scale to assess social perception, the Social Perception Behavior Rating Scale (SPBRS), is presented. In addition to a reliability study, three validity studies are reported: (a) a study of difference in group means between mildly handicapped and nonhandicapped children; (b) a study correlating SPBRS scores with three other social behavior scales-the Hahnemann Elementary School Behavior Rating Scale, the Pupil Rating Scale-Revised, and the Walker Problem Behavior Identification Checklist; and (c) a study correlating SPBRS ratings with indices of sociometric status among third- and fourth-graders. Results indicate adequate reliability, marked differences in the scores of handicapped and nonhandicapped children, and a logical pattern of correlations with other scales and sociometric status. Suggestions for further investigation of this research instrument are presented.
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