This paper outlines a classroom technique that conveys to students some of the complexities of naturalistic and systematic observation. Most research methods textbooks devote only a single chapter to all of the descriptive techniques of research. This activity involves students in the observation and recording of "fidgets" during a five-minute…

A study explored the extent to which a child's birth order is associated with differential treatment by others. Twenty pairs of siblings between 4 and 9 years of age were observed interacting in a laboratory setting. All were white, middle-class children whose mothers had at least some college education. The children played with and without their…

Interactions between 25 mothers and their developmentally delayed children (ages 2-5) during 15 minutes of semi-structured free play were coded independently with a global rating scale and a behavior count coding scheme. Correlational analyses were performed around three central themes: (1) the nature of the relationship between maternal…

This longitudinal study looked at how communication developed in seven deaf infants (ages 6-18 months) with either deaf or hearing parents. The children were video- recorded in interactional settings with their parents in their home every second month. A parallel study was conducted with seven blind infants and three severely visually impaired…

The observation manual provides a system for the naturalistic observation of interactions between the preschool child and the caregiver. It can be used in research with the preschool aged child and the parent or teacher in home, laboratory, or school settings. The behavior categories included are applicable for collecting frequency data or…

Polite statements in conversations between men and women are analyzed as rational strategies designed to save face. Previous research has established that saving face is composed of two needs: the need to be unimpeded in conversation (negative politeness) and the need to be approved of (positive politeness). Face-threatening acts (interruptions,…

The article reports a lack of significant increase in career maturity in 11th grade students who took part in the simulation "Life Career" for one school day. (CD)

The hypothesis that teachers are unaware of the pattern of their interactions with students was tested by observing dyadic interactions between teachers and students and having teachers estimate their interactions. Results indicated a general lack of awareness on the part of teachers of the frequency and types of their interactions. (Author)

Disadvantaged seventh graders were taught a ballad. The evaluation study was designed to explore to what extent the verbal transactions between the teacher and students were related to the three specified unit objectives: style, theme, and personal meaning. Congruence between intended and observed transactions was found. (BJG)

Attempts to determine whether prosocial acts of cooperation and friendliness by a black or a white adolescent model influence the play of younger black and white elementary school boys. (Author)

The authors of this report have reanalyzed earlier data to determine whether or not there was a relationship between perceived levels of therapist-offered conditions (e.g., favorableness of patient-therapist relationship) and therapeutic outcome. (Author)

Develops a method for predicting leadership behavior in small groups by integrating leadership theory and source valence concepts. (MH)

Operant principles were used to design an activity for a group of handicapped, elderly women in a home for the aged; the activity was monitored to study its impact on their levels of participation and social interaction. Results are described. (Author)

Systematic observation methods were used to investigate the nature of communication in a cross-sectional study of 80 dating and engaged couples that were grouped into dating stages of various degrees of commitment. Results indicate more communication of the critical kind was in evidence at later stages of dating. (Author/EJT)

There has been an enormous increase in the number of unmarried cohabiting couples in Sweden and Denmark and a decrease in the marriage rate. Is unmarried cohabitation a deviant behavior? This question is discussed and the answer is given that in Sweden it is not. (Author)