Suggests that the learning of sex roles is based on a bipolar dichotomy of gender-appropriate behaviors. Response alternatives are discussed including the single polarity, bipolar acceptance, and integration of polarities. Contends that integration is essential for growth. (JAC)

The article on the effects of social and linguistic environment on language learning in children reviews findings on child-centered interaction styles, touching upon interactional style and language processing and cross-cultural studies of interactional style. (CL)

Summarizes research on competition as a part of normal development that is disproportionately reinforced within American culture. Concludes that the negative effects of competition are widespread and damaging and that the members of the helping professions have a responsibility to create and protect cooperative environments. (LLL)

A method for fading object rewards for superordinate prerequisites to social play simultaneously with socially rewarded training on specific play was effective in teaching games to 15 institutionalized retarded adolescents. (Author/CL)

Suggests that connotations of assertiveness do not convey all of its meanings, particularly the components of positive feelings, communication, and cooperation. The application of semantics can help restore the balance. Presents a model for differentiating assertive behavior and clarifying the definition. (JAC)

Social and nonsocial behaviors of infant rhesus (macaca mulatta) and pigtail (M. nemestrina) monkeys reared in total social isolation were compared with those of socialized controls. Results question the generality of rhesus total isolate behavior as a model for some human problems. (Author/SB)

Identifies events in the competitive process that could be employed to discriminate between competition and individual, nonsocial behaviors. If a subject is working for the competitive contingency and checks his progress against another's, his behavior may be classified as competitive rather than individual, nonsocial behavior. (DP)

This research has shown that assessment of social behavior beyond differentiation of extremely poorly functioning individuals from normals is possible. (Author)

Discusses the need to educate the community to its responsibility toward the mentally ill. (GB)

The results of these experiments strongly suggest that the occurrence of behavioral contagion depended on the relative advantage an initiator's action establishes over the other members of the group. (SD)

Twenty-eight mentally retarded adults received behavioral training in assertiveness. Analysis of videotaped role play responses indicated significant improvement in polite refusal of unreasonable requests as well as evidence of generalization and maintenance of assertive refusal skills. (Author/CL)

Three groups of children pursued sensitivity exercises, cooperative activities, and free play, respectively, over six weeks. Children in the sensitivity group (which promoted trust/dependence) showed less competitive and more cooperative behaviors on a cognitive task and more child-sensitivity on a moral task than the other two groups. (Author/MJL)

The first study examined preschool children's looks directed toward male and female adults. More than one adult of each sex participated, and measures were taken of eye contact as well as of exploratory behavior. The second study examined children's looks toward adults in relation to their interpretation of an adult's gaze. (RH)

Two experiments were conducted in which same-sex pairs of subjects who were either similar or opposite in self-monitoring conversed for 10 minutes. Conversations were videotaped, and the patterning of speech and gaze was examined. (Author/SS)