Based on the assumptions that relational messages are multidimensional and that they are largely communicated by nonverbal cues, this experiment manipulated five nonverbal cues--eye contact, proximity, body lean, smiling, and touch--to determine what meanings they convey along four relational message dimensions: emotionality/arousal/composure,…

Although inconsistent, research findings indicate that men and women self-disclose differently in terms of depth and frequency and interpret disclosures differently during varying stages of their relationships. A review of the literature concerning communication within stable, enduring relationships reveals that, overall, there are no apparent sex…

Research on family interaction patterns suggests that delinquent behaviors of children and adolescents may be related to, if not a direct function of, disordered interpersonal interaction within the family unit. Family interaction can be seen as a sequence of interlocking events occurring over time and consisting of the three basic characteristics…

The study attempted to develop predictors of severe psychopathology in early adulthood from behavioral descriptions provided in middle adolescence and early adulthood by parents of 24 males (first seen in middle adolescence). (Author)

This exploratory study assesses the sources from which elderly blacks draw support for needed services. A total of 208 elderly blacks were questioned concerning whom they would turn to for companionship, when feeling depressed, when in need of necessities like food or medicine, and in emergency situations. For each area, respondents indicated…

All interpersonal relationships are a function of the basic beliefs, expectations, and reactions of the people involved. These conditions may not be written or even verbalized formally, but they exist nontheless and are as binding as any legal contract. Giving specific and intentional consideration to interpersonal contracts and utilizing them as…

The main objective of the research was to define and dimensionalize the self concept. In a theoretical approach similar to the debates on the meaning of intelligence, this study attempted to determine whether the self concept is a general factor which explains more specific selves, whether it connotes a hierarchical structure, or whether it is…

The purpose of this research was to investigate egocentrism and to investigate the relationships between egocentrism, popularity, and certain playground behaviors for students in Grades 1-5. More than 200 students participated in the study. The results showed that: (1) egocentrism decreases with age, (2) males were less egocentric than females at…

Study investigated the impact of two types of potential crisis-producing experiences on the referral patterns of maladapting primary grade school children: parental separation and divorce and parental death. Association between specific crisis history and specific school maladjustment patterns is seen to have implications for early detection and…

Knowledge of individual differences of victim responses to and recovery from rape is necessary in order to provide for each victim's individual needs. Black women may be exposed to more violence in their culture and may be treated differently than white women. These differences may lead to different recovery patterns between black and white rape…

This paper focuses on the systems approach in family therapy and attempts to further the development of this approach by defining its assumptions and delineating the relationship between the assumptions and their operationalization in assessment and therapy. The first section identifies two basic assumptions of a systemic approach, i.e., that the…

Although research has provided evidence to document a relation between parental psychopathology and female delinquency, the dimensions of that relationship are unclear. Adjudicated delinquent females (N=48) completed a general social history interview and three psychological instruments. Probation records were used to analyze subjects' delinquent…