Psycholinguistic abilities of children from different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds

Abstract

First grade children of different socio-economic status and different ethnic background were compared on 2 tests of language ability: the PPVT and the ITPA. On these tests, lower SES and part-Aboriginal children performed at a significantly lower level than upper SES children. Utilizing ITPA subtest scores, it is evident that this significant difference was the result of low achievement on subtests measuring the auditory and/or vocal components of psycholinguistic ability. On subtests measuring visual and/or motor components differences between the groups were minimal. These results supported the contention that familial experiences differentially affect language skills.