The interactive effects of implicit normative and explicit situational consensus information were examined regarding the processes of causal attribution and evaluation. Stimulus items were single sentence descriptions of antisocial and prosocial behaviors representing the extremes of high and low normative consensus in each behavior category, as…

One of the important factors contributing to the current interest in the development of social competence in preschool children is the acceptance of such competencies as appropriate outcomes in the evaluation of preschool intervention programs. Measurement of social competence is still in an early stage of development. One problem is that…

A developmental model for an empathy-based prosocial motive is presented. The framework of the model is presented in terms of three components of empathy. The first component, empathic affective arousal, is discussed and six involuntary psychological mechanisms which underlie it are described briefly. These mechanisms, in the order in which they…

This study, part of a larger study on the effects of prosocial television and environmental variables on children's behavior, analyzed fantasy structure and content characteristics. Also investigated were possible effects of treatment and sex. Following a baseline period, 142 lower-class children were assigned to one of four experimental…

This Child Development Associate (CDA) module focuses on child guidance strategies that promote children's self control and positive social behavior. Objectives are stipulated, activities for achieving each objective are suggested, and an assessment checklist is provided. A study guide emphasizes (1) teacher qualities which lead to close, warm,…

This 9-month naturalistic study investigated maternal influence on the responses of 1 1/2- to 2-year-old infants to emotional distress events occurring in the family environment. Mothers were trained to report details of distress incidents, of the child's reactions to the person in distress, and of the mother's own response to the child and to the…

This study charts the development of social interchange patterns (reciprocity) between familiar peers and adults from written and videotaped observations of 72 children at ages 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, and 42 months. Two additional groups of eight children were observed over a 12-month interval in a parallel longitudinal design. Measures included…

Studies with the Madsen Cooperation Board are described, showing differences in cooperation and competition between Polynesian and European children. Another study of Cook Islands, Samoan, and Fijian children is reported and the school's role in increasing competitive behavior discussed. Teaching changes are suggested to encourage more adaptive…

A method is proposed for modeling developmental data, and particularly the developmental relationship between the age of a child and the presence or absence of aggressive behavior. A dichotomous logistic response model is used. (Author/JKS)

Social skills are defined as those social behaviors, interpersonal and task-related, that produce positive consequences in the classroom. The case is made that social behaviors are currently taught informally, that some social behaviors are important prerequisites for academic success, and that these behaviors can and should be taught…

The effects of structuring classroom learning cooperatively or individualistically were compared, and results indicated that cooperative, compared to individualized, learning resulted in greater ability to take the affective perspective of others, more altruism, more positive attitudes toward classroom life, and higher achievement. (Author/BW)

The importance of developing positive, reciprocal interaction has been well documented. If affective education for young handicapped children is to become a reality, additional research is necessary to identify those response patterns that set the occasion for positive reciprocal interaction. (Author)

Designed and administered the Student Community Service Involvement Survey to assess students' reasons for volunteering. College students indicated that their motives for involvement in community service were egoistic and altruistic. Demographically, student volunteers were not too different from the general student population. Volunteerism was…

Reports results of questionnaires and interviews conducted with 123 parents (mostly mothers) of preschool, first-grade, and sixth-grade children. Finds that parental limitations on children's altruism are based on cogent rationales and are a direct function of the situational cost involved and the age and familiarity of the recipient. (CB)

Nonretarded fourth through sixth-graders (N=91) viewed a videotape of either a nonretarded, mildly retarded, or moderately retarded target child reading. They then were read a story depicting the target as either socially competent, withdrawn, or aggressive. Prosocial behavior attributes had a positive effect on children's attitudes and behavioral…