Background: Although an ecological perspective suggests the importance of multiple levels of intervention, most bullying research has emphasized individual- and school-focused strategies. This study investigated community and family factors that influence school efforts to reduce odds of group bullying behavior and victimization. Methods: We used…

Uses psychodynamic perspective to explore tendency of small groups to regress to group mindlessness, where critical thinking is sluggish and individual differences are suppressed. Discusses dynamics of small group mindlessness and the emergence of dissenter role. Suggests ways of enhancing group mindfulness. (Author/TE)

Explores the different attitudes of English girls and boys to General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) work. Provides suggestions to account for the differences, particularly related to peer pressure, image, and social groupings. Finds that boys were ridiculed more for working hard and were under greater pressure to confirm to a cool,…

Practical applications of educational theory on peer groups to classroom management are discussed. (MJB)

Networks have emerged as a major topic of interest in the behavioral sciences, and network concepts have recently been extended by community psychologists to higher education. To examine the effectiveness of peer networks within an introductory psychology class, networks of four students each met weekly in place of a lecture to review material and…

When the authors wanted to combat the myth that excessive drinking and partying were common behaviors among students, they turned for help to a recent popular book on marketing and social behavior. The result was a trial project that identified and recruited the most influential students on campus, then set them loose to get the message out.…

Examined role of friendship aspects in moderating behavioral antecedents and outcomes of peer victimization among fourth and fifth graders. Teacher-reported internalizing and externalizing behaviors predicted increases in peer-reported victimization; relation of internalizing behaviors to increases in victimization was attenuated for children with…

This research describes an observation study of 100 children, ages 9-13 years, on the island of 'Ua Pou, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. The children were in a French government boarding school in the main valley of the island. Complex, sophisticated group processes among the Marquesan children were observed. The role structures of the group…