A 5-trial social-conditional reasoning task was administered to 80 children between the ages of 3 and 6 years. The results indicated that by 4 years of age children are able to reason from a premise to its logical conclusion in reasoning about the probable behavior of others. (JMB)

Investigated the relationship between children's temperaments, in interaction with situational factors, and their helping behavior. Twenty-four preschool children were presented with four opportunities for helping a female adult. Mothers rated children's helpfulness at home. Multiple measures of sociablity were gathered from mothers and preschool…

Explores the potential of a training program in premarital communication for high school seniors. Eight college students and eight high school seniors were taught communication skills designed to help them plan the future of their relationships, facilitate enhanced trust and intimacy between partners, and increase their ability to handle problems.…

Found that high-risk college freshmen who received training in role communication skills earned adjusted scores on an interpersonal skills posttest and grade point averages that were significantly higher than those earned by students who received academic counseling. Suggests training high-risk students in basic communication skills rather than in…

To further practitioners' understanding of shyness, this review of research discusses (1) origins of shyness, (2) cognition and shyness, (3) situational factors affecting shy behavior, (4) social difficulties of shy children, (5) shyness and sex differences, (6) persistence of shyness, and (7) ways for caregivers to help the shy child. (RH)

As schools become more complex, so must administrator training and educational processes. This article discusses the need for methods to "socialize" administrator candidates to their new roles through experiential interaction using case studies, close supervision, and videotaping in graduate training programs. Includes eight references. (MLH)

A technique to teach first-year medical students to conduct brief interviews that focus on how medical illness affects the daily life of patients is described. The technique includes a conceptual model of the interview and an explicit teaching method for instructors and students. (Author/MLW)

Verbal prompting and graduated physical guidance procedures were found to substantially increase independent and social play in two interrelated experiments with eight profoundly mentally retarded adults. Independent and social play remained in the subjects' repertoire for 12 months following termination of programmed maintenance. (Author/JW)

Investigated the extent of children's loneliness, their perceived ease in making friends, their estimated social competence as a function of grade and sex, and their preferences concerning eight childhood activities. A loneliness scale and a sociometric peer nomination form were administered to 364 students in grades two, four, and six. (Author/BN)

The relationship between language and behavior disorders was investigated. The teacher and parents of 12 children in a special public preschool for children with documented chronic otitis media and language disorders completed the Louisville Behavior Checklist. Most deviant behavior was reported on scales measuring cognitive and social-interactive…

Conducted a psychologically-oriented intervention program in addition to a conventional curriculum for adolescents (N=9) with behavior problems. Adolescents completing the program manifested less disruptive classroom behavior, increased their classroom participation, and displayed a more positive attitude toward school following participation.…

Evaluation of the school adjustment of Down's Syndrome six- and seven-year-olds (N=8) who had participated in an early intervention program from birth indicated that the subjects were at least as attentive, compliant, socially integrated, and no more disruptive than nondisabled children. Teachers' attitudes ranged from very positive to very…

Examines school recess playground activities of second and fifth graders. A one-year follow-up assessment also measured logical reasoning, interpersonal understanding, and understanding of game rules. Both grade and gender differences were found in the complexity of children's activities. Discusses results in terms of social and sex role…

Patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in one treatment unit were surveyed concerning their physicians' medical information of the disease and its treatment, interpersonal skills, communication skills, attitudes, and the advice given them about their partners and other household members. (MSE)

Fifty-seven physically disabled young people and 62 controls, aged 18-25, rated themselves according to the degree of difficulty they experienced in 12 social situations. While both groups cited difficulties, 37 percent of the disabled group experienced difficulties that were severe in nature, compared to only 3 percent of the comparison group.…