First sexual intercourse of 94 male and 114 female college undergraduates was studied as it relates to gender differences in sexual behaviors, partner's role, contraceptive use, and sexual guilt and satisfaction. Sexual intercourse initiation is often characterized by contraceptive nonuse, pressure to become sexually involved, guilt, and sexual…

Recent study found that high-achieving African Americans ran the risk of both physical and verbal abuse from peers. With help from staff, principals can remove or weaken excellence-alienation link by raising community awareness, providing opportunities for new knowledge and skills, and offering support and resources for change. Principals must…

The theory of reasoned action is applied to dentists' behaviors toward and treatment of patients with or at risk for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Two belief components are seen as critical: (1) beliefs about consequences of treating these patients; and (2) perceptions of how his reference groups view such treatment. (MSE)

On 2 consecutive days, a total of 96 children were observed in groups of 3, once with scarce and once with ample toy resources. Sharing was affected by the number of toys and availability of duplicate toys. When pressured by peers, one year olds shared more often than did two year olds. (BC)

Evaluates 3 1985-87 mass media campaigns designed to prevent smoking by adolescents, using data gathered by telephone contact with over 2,000 households. The campaigns had but a modest or indeterminate result. Radio proved as effective as television. (DM)

Parents are advised on ways to cope with the peer pressure associated with clothes. Techniques focus on countering and preventing peer pressure or, at least, putting it into healthier perspective. A list of retorts children can make to peer critics is included. (IAH)

Surveyed 110 female college students to study social context in which drinking occurs. Analyzed descriptions of respondents' experiences in their most recent social situation where alcohol was used by others. Findings showed experiences occurred within last 5 days and were primarily related to relaxing, eating, or celebrating events or holidays.…

Offers some effective ways of using literature-based instruction by examining literary peer discussion groups in the elementary classroom. (MG)

Evaluates the effectiveness of the progressive time delay procedure in art activities involving disabled and nondisabled preschoolers, whereby teachers progressively delay corrective assistance to disabled pupils attempting to imitate their peers. Found that using the progressive time delay procedure produced high levels of imitation in a nearly…

College students (n=177) ranked influence they thought various factors had on their smoking behavior. Subjects ranked peers first and cigarette advertisements last as causes of starting to smoke; my decision and health education advertisements highest and peers lowest for quitting smoking. Findings suggest students perceived they had high degree…

A reparameterization is formulated that yields estimates of scale-invariant parameters in recursive path models with latent variables, and (asymptotically) correct standard errors, without the use of constrained optimization. The method is based on the logical structure of the reticular action model. (Author)

Research shows the elderly retain competence and have potential for development. However, review of low educational participation of Austrian older adults suggests constraints: influence of the social group, instructors' attitudes, and rigid separation of education, work, and retirement that limits postretirement participation. (SK)

Influences on clothing choice were identified by 184 6th-graders, 159 9th-graders, and 135 12th-graders. Friend influence increased with age. Blacks were most influenced by media, whites and rural youth by friends. Media were less influential with females, gained influence as adolescents aged, and had almost twice as much influence on urban as on…

Presents examples of developmental students who support each other both personally and academically during the transitional first year of college. Describes the learning communities program, in which linked developmental classes specifically encourage cross-disciplinary learning and peer collaboration. Emphasizes the necessity for students to take…

Examined whether adolescents identify with the crowd to which they are assigned by their peers or with higher status crowds, and whether they are more likely to select the normal crowd or their peer-assigned crowd as their social-reference group. Found that specific crowds' status changes over time, and that there are age differences in…