To identify quantitative indicators of social communication dysfunctions, we explored the oculomotor performances in subjects with autism spectrum disorders. Discordant findings in the literature have been reported for oculomotor behavior in subjects with autism spectrum disorders. This study aimed to explore reflexive and voluntary saccadic…

Previous studies with adults have shown that age has an important influence on laypeople's wisdom theories. However, children's and adolescents' understanding of the concept of wisdom has hardly been investigated. In the current study, 80 children and adolescents completed a questionnaire concerning an event where they had been wise and an event…

This study examined friendship quality as a possible moderator of risk factors in predicting peer victimization and bullying. Children (50 boys and 49 girls, ages 10 to 13 years) reported on the quality of their best friendship, as well as their bullying and victimization tendencies. Parents reported on their childs internalizing and externalizing…

An ethnomethodological study with children aged 10-11 reveals that childrens' view of school, of school values and of friendships differs markedly from the adult view of these matters. In some cases these differences may lead to irreconcilable conflicts between teacher and learner where the teacher is unable to recognize the child's point of view.…

A survey of 940 university students found that adolescents of Type A parents have higher Type A scores. Moreover, Type A parent-adolescent relationships varied depending on the Type A dimension measured and the gender of the parent-adolescent dyad. Analyses indicated that perceived family environment influenced the development of Type A behavior.…

Related variables measured in 1975 to smoking status in 1978 using multivariate statistical procedures. Variables included sociodemographic characteristics, smoking environment, school performance, attitude toward smoking, and knowledge about smoking effects. Cross-sectional analysis of variables measured in 1978 revealed that six variables…

Examined the role of individual characteristics and peer influences in evoking early substance abuse in young boys. Individual characteristics, such as fighting, hyperactivity, oppositional behaviors, and likability, were found to be pivotal in the development of substance abuse--more than friends' deviance. Results suggest that prevention…

A peer nomination assessment of 5 domains of children's competence was administered to 1,249 elementary school students. Factor analysis revealed two positive and two negative factors. Results indicate the structure of peer's perceptions of children's competence, and justify use of the measure to complement other methods of evaluation. (SLD)

Examines relationships between television viewing and sex-role attitudes and behaviors for 530 fourth and fifth graders from the perspective of cultivation theory. Correlation and regression analyses reveal that television viewing is positively related to children's attitudes toward sex-stereotyped chores. Those who watched more television…

The convergent validity of peer, self, and teacher methods of assessing youths' risk propensity and the relation of these measures to health risk behavior were studied with 436 elementary and junior high school students. Findings demonstrate low congruence between rater sources. Prediction depended on behavior assessed and grade level. (SLD)