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…

Presents several activities for elementary social studies instruction about laws. Encourages linking the abstract concepts, "laws," to the more familiar, "rules." Focuses on justice and fairness. Lists references for additional ideas on incorporating law-related activities into social studies curricula. Includes list of objectives, stressing the…

Examined relationships among emotional distress, perceived social support, and vocational outcome in serious brain-injured persons (n=36). Found clients' perceptions of available social support related to intensity of emotional distress. Found social support related to clients' vocational outcome one year after evaluation. (Author/CM)

Assessed the moral reasoning of Israeli third and sixth graders living in a city or a kibbutz. Kibbutz children's direct reciprocity reasoning increased, while pragmatic reasoning increased with age only for kibbutz children. (Author/BB)

Describes procedures used to measure aspects of a classroom environment in which the development of prosocial characteristics is emphasized. Explains observation procedures, a teacher questionnaire, a child interview, and a child questionnaire. Finds observation to be the most useful means of assessment, with the other three procedures…

Discusses techniques that elementary school teachers can use to recognize and correct minor behavior problems in their students. Incidences of inattention, disruptive behavior, and bad manners can be used as teachable moments to model or discuss good behavior. Teachers can also use newsletters to communicate with parents about prosocial skills.…

Attempted to identify behavioral precursors of conflict outcomes and to isolate unique characteristics of important conflicts. Results suggest that conflict components were interrelated. Resolutions were associated with outcomes and affective intensity, and affective intensity was linked to lessons learned. Apparently, the salience of an…

To help combat the effects of violence on children and improve the quality and nature of play, early childhood teachers can: define violence by helping children become aware of the issue, help children resolve their own conflicts, create a peace place in the classroom, intervene when violent play occurs, evaluate media and toys, and educate…

Examined changes in prosocial moral reasoning and gender differences in prosocial reasoning over 15 years. Found that hedonistic reasoning declined and then increased somewhat; needs-oriented and stereotypic reasoning increased and then declined with age. Direct reciprocity and approval reasoning showed no decline into early adulthood, contrary to…

Examined the emotional reactions of toddlers to two mishaps. Children's reactions varied along two dimensions: tension and frustration and concerned reparation. Mishaps elicited more negative emotions than did free play, and most toddlers attempted to correct the mishap. Findings indicate that children's styles of emotional response to mishaps may…

Reviews studies examining children's nurturing behaviors and suggests ways to encourage those behaviors in early childhood settings. Discusses age, gender, and cultural differences in the nurturing behavior of young children. Recommends that teachers expose children to positive role models and suggests several children's books with characters that…

Seventy-eight families with child diagnosed as oppositional-defiant or conduct-disordered were randomly assigned to basic videotape parent skills training program (GDVM) with or without broader-based, videotape treatment component (ADVANCE). Both groups significantly improved at short-term follow-up. ADVANCE produced additional significant…

Parents rated their children on two behavioral rating scales that were designed to evaluate problem and antisocial behaviors. When rating only one child, parents agreed in rating sons' behaviors. Differences were found in mothers' and fathers' prosocial behavior ratings of daughters. When parents rated one child of each sex, no differences in…

Literature on preadolescent friendships is reviewed to examine the relationship between preadolescent friendship and social support in adulthood. Present research is suggestive of the importance of preadolescent friendships in adult social relatedness, but it is not sufficient to validate the period as critical to social support in adulthood. (SLD)

Asserts that moral or behavioral deviants are unlikely to change their attitudes or behavior through traditional moral development or values education programs. Reviews literature on rehabilitation efforts and presents a three-phase model of moral development that reflects developmental stages in a person's life. (CFR)