A teacher recounts her difficult experience with a withdrawn, isolated fourth grader with very low academic achievement. Although she was not successful in improving his achievement, she did help him to accept more physical and emotional contact. (CB)

Discusses the use of animals in communicating with severely impaired children. Explains the biology of the relationship between humans and animals and the path toward alienation from animals that humans often take as they develop. (DDR)

Reviews Maslow's hierarchy of needs in the light of the Jonestown tragedy. Maintains that members of the People's Temple felt frustrated in attaining the lower levels in the world of reality, and so moved outside the pyramid in search of the top, self-actualization. In the process, their primary needs were met. Journal availability: see SO 507…

The author reviews ways in which teachers reorganize to deal with stress, noting that such behaviors as rigidity, aggression, negativism, and withdrawal work toward disorganization and dissolution of the self. (CL)

Examined role of social anxiety, social withdrawal, and locus of control in the developmental level of interpersonal negotiation strategies (INS) when resolving hypothetical conflicts. Found that sociable children were more likely than socially withdrawn children to exhibit greater competence in INS. Children with internal locus of control were…

Argues that research does not warrant Belsky's position that infant child care for more than 20 hours per week is a risk factor for infants' insecure-avoidant attachment and children's maladaptive social behavior. Suggests that quality of care and family characteristics are major influences. (NH)

Psychic surrender, a malady that's becoming progressively stronger in our culture, can be defined as the act of turning complete control of your life over to someone you perceive as stronger and more capable than you, e.g., God, trendy therapies, or gurus. What is needed is more self-responsibility. (RM)

Prevention of teenage suicide and coping with it when it occurs is an increasing concern for middle-level principals. This article focuses on specific implications of the youth suicide problem for middle-level principals with considerations for other principals as well. (Author/TE)

Current research on training children in social skills, although promising, suffers from conceptual, methodological, and assessment problems. In addition, the rationale invoked for intervention with shy, withdrawn children appears to be questionable. This issue, as well as others, is addressed in a summary discussion. Recommendations for further…

Assesses two opposing theories regarding the causes of the social disengagement of African-American youth. Argues that many of these youth adapt to their problematic environments and engage in antisocial behaviors. Urges further research on their attitudes, perceptions, and behavior about sexuality and fatherhood. (FMW)

The normal, biologically adaptive development of attachment between the human infant under 3 years of age and mother/caregivers contrasts with the Anglo-Saxon cultural belief that babies should be accustomed to unpleasantness. Separation of hospitalized children from their mothers, as frequently done in the past, has resulted in psychological…

Reviews literature on the functional psychological consequences of computerization. Maintains that, while computational tasks are turned over to the computer, individuals retain traditional skills, knowledge, and attitudes. Includes three graphic figures illustrating the transformation of mental processes. (CFR)