Junior high school teachers (n=52) and students (n=51) viewed and photograph of male student with or without earring (nonconformity versus conformity), read behavior vignette, and rated student. Evaluations of personal traits, social class, and reactions to behavior vignette were influenced by presence or absence of earring and by whether…

Four adults with moderate/severe disabilities were taught to request objects by using the manual signs "want" or "please" plus an object label sign, within the context of familiar activities in which needed objects were missing. All participants acquired a generic requesting response, and three acquired an explicit requesting…

Investigated the relationships among achievement, socioeconomic status, and seven dimensions of self-concept in fourth-grade students. Found that high achievement may be a protective factor concerning self-esteem, peer-related perceptions, and school-related perceptions, while higher SES may be a protective factor regarding anxiety and…

Describes teaching methods employed in German elementary school classrooms that develop discovery, creativity, and a spirit of cooperation in students learning mathematics. Methods included free choice of learning activities by students and small group cooperative activities. Students' motivation, self-confidence, social and communications skills,…

Outlines a year-long study which sought to determine the effectiveness of social skills training on peer acceptance, self-esteem, social attraction, and self-confidence of students with disabilities. Social skills training with these students positively affected their social interactions and involvement with their nondisabled peers. (RJM)

The Verbal Interaction Analysis System (VIAS) was applied to interaction between high school students and adult confederates. The VIAS successfully discriminated between two groups of verbally skilled students (n=8) and less skilled students (n=8). When these adolescent-adult interactions were conceptualized as interviews rather than conversations…

Studies intercultural communication in a Buddhist monastic university in India. Oral communication involves an ensemble of speakers and hearers; an interpersonal relationship that underlies the motivation and effort among speakers and hearers is required for true dialog. Understanding meanings is sometimes subordinate to interactional…

In 2 experiments with 6 boys (ages 12 and 13) having mild and moderate mental retardation, directed rehearsal was used to teach subjects to either recognize or produce 6 basic facial expressions of emotion. Training in both skills was effective, and the recognition training was maintained at 8-week and 12-week assessments following instruction.…

Suggests that children can learn to successfully resolve problems by age four. Describes two interpersonal problem-solving thinking skills (alternative solution thinking and consequential thinking) which, if used by children, facilitate better adjustment and greater social competence. Teaching children problem-solving techniques, or how to think,…

This article describes the use of social-story intervention programs to teach appropriate social behavior to 3 children with autism (ages 7 and 11). The intervention combined social-story methodology with a behavioral social skills training strategy. Suggestions for developing, implementing, and evaluating social-story programs are provided.…

The effects of multiple-exemplar self-instructional training on acquiring and generalizing conversational interaction was studied with four high school students with mental retardation. It was found that nondisabled peers were effective in teaching the multiple-exemplar strategy and that training was associated with increased generalized…

Summarizes research related to predictors of alcohol abuse among college students and research concerning the impact of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on children's social skills. Implications for camps include thoroughly checking references and background information of college students applying for jobs, and helping campers with…

Examined whether experiences of parental violence during childhood are related to two separate adulthood problems for women: victimization by severe partner violence and the development of alcohol-related problems. Violence from both parents related to each adulthood problem, but important differences between mother violence and father violence…

Examined childhood attachment, family environment, and adult social competencies to explain the association between sexual abuse and eating disorders (EDs). Females (n=154) filled out surveys that assessed parental bonds, sexual abuse history, self-efficacy, and other factors. Significant associations were found between family environment, incest,…

Interviews with parents of children with moderate or severe disabilities revealed positive perceptions regarding outcomes of their children's inclusion in general education. Of the 13 children (ages 5 to 20), 9 had previously been in self-contained settings. Parents reported skill acquisition in academics, communication, social skills, and…