This paper presents and compares data from the Adaptive Behavior Inventory for Children (ABIC) on three groups of Mexican-American children from California, Austin, and Corpus Christi, Texas. The ABIC is premised on the belief that all behaviors are learned in a particular sociocultural context and that this context must be taken into account when interpreting behaviors. In California and Texas, Mexican American children are the dominant minority group and come from a linguistically and culturally different background. Their own social system has unique properties and often is outside of the Anglo core culture. Since their adaptive behaviors are nurtured and reinforced within their social system, these behaviors need to be interpreted with respect to the norms of their group. (Author)