Translates for the secondary teacher current learning theory research into educational program implications for the mentally retarded adolescent. Discusses adaptive behavior, effectance motivation, limited range of reinforcing events, external locus of control, and deficiencies in social discrimination. (Author/DC)

Describes continuity theory, as emphasizing the interaction between individual characteristics and the social structure. Presents three propositions concerning social role restrictivness and maintenance in older adults. Considers psychological, sociological, physiological, and educational influences on elder's social behavior. (JAC)

Individual differences in the social behavior of young siblings were studied in 40 sibling pairs observed at home, when the second child was 8 months old and 14 months old. Differences between same-sex and different-sex sibling pairs were marked by the second observation. More positive social behavior characterized same-sex pairs; more negative…

Reported are the results of a study testing dominance and subordination among the spatially central and peripheral in 14 college classrooms. Differences in the defense of territory, upon invasion, between spatially central and spatially peripheral humans were investigated. (BT)

In a single-subject design with replication across Ss, teacher prompts were used in an attempt to increase the rate of social behavior of three severely and profoundly retarded adolescents who were legally blind. Training took place in the classroom on successive school days with the teacher prompting each S to engage in positive social…

Presents a questionnaire which can be used by teachers to assess individual differences in the social behavior of nursery school children. Evidence for the instrument's reliability and validity is included. (CM)

Effects of resource capability and interpersonal attraction on coalition behavior were studied. Introductory psychology students role played across three experimental conditions. Subjects were asked to select a coalition partner, predict formation of coalition, estimate winnings distribution. Male and female choices and predictions differed.…

An examination of the social and economic behaviors of foreign students reveals them to be rationally adaptive strategies in response to the constraints imposed by their position in U.S. society. Coping strategies include the use of a number of social brokers, including the foreign student adviser. (Author)

Presents a model for an alternative family form which extends ideological and structural features of open marriage to include children. Open families are characterized by enhanced permeability of internal/external boundaries and a single standard of behavior. A reply is given by Vladimir De Lissovoy with concluding responses by Constantine.…

Presents a forum in which students can voice their concerns about the future to community decision makers. A plan is suggested for organizing a Children's Hearing through one school or a collaborative effort of several schools. Steps include data gathering and organization, analysis and synthesis, preparation for the hearing, and the hearing…

Examined cortisol and behavioral reactions of 36-month olds in an unfamiliar playgroup. Found that, when compared to at-home levels, cortisol levels were lower when children were receiving adult support and higher for one-third of children when interacting with peers alone, and that children showing adrenocortical arousal before the challenging…

Interviews with a random sample of 270 students and a selected sample of 52 key informants showed students were more willing to use self-help groups than key informants predicted. Students were especially willing to use self-help groups for difficulties such as physical handicaps but not for relationship issues. (RJM)

A study examined the job performance of 47 adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders. Significant discrepancies were found between supervisors' ratings of the importance of work behaviors and their ratings of adolescents' performance of the same behaviors. Adolescents' self-evaluations were significantly more favorable than the ratings…

Investigated the relationship between psychological understanding and positive social behavior in preschool children. Found that both mental state understanding and emotion understanding were positively related to teacher ratings of social skills, behavioral observers' global ratings of social skills, and peer popularity. When language ability was…

Describes the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Children 5-16 Research Programme, a 5-year project which examined contemporary childhood in the United Kingdom, including aspects of social lives, living conditions, experiences, and perspectives. Notes specific research aims: to develop new knowledge about children as social actors, to…