Correlates of Leadership Decision Patterns of High School Pupils Socio-Economic Status, High School Grade, and Connotative Meaning of the Word "Leadership."

In a previous study by the investigator, it was determined that the lowest socioeconomic strata of pupils valued leadership significantly higher than did the upper socioeconomic group. This follow-up study attempted to determine whether pupils with similar connotations of leadership were more likely to be democratic leaders or autocratic leaders, and to determine if there was a difference in democratic tendency between students of various socioeconomic groups. The 94 pupils in 14 vocational agriculture departments in Illinois were stratified by socioeconomic classification and by grade level. Evaluation of data by analysis of variance and coefficient of correlation revealed: (1) Those who valued leadership most were the least democratic in their leadership decision pattern and those who valued leadership least were more democratic, (2) No statistical difference in the leadership ability or style of leadership existed among the socioeconomic classification of pupils, (3) Leadership scores were not significantly different for the three high school grade levels of pupils, and (4) Pupils in the 10th grade gave less democratic-cooperative responses and more autocratic-aggressive responses. (DM)