The social interaction and social organization patterns of 408 Israeli kindergarten children and first graders engaged in outdoor free play were observed for 40 minutes each day for three continuous weeks. (Author/CM)

The effects of seating distance and orientation on small-group behavior were investigated in male and female four-person groups. The nonfacing orientation produced more frequent self-manipulative behaviors and postural adjustments and longer pauses than the facing orientation. Processes underlying orientation effects and their potential…

A British observational study of science classroom interactions was replicated in Atlantic Canada with 33 teacher-class units. Comparison of results revealed a less practical approach to science teaching in the Canadian classrooms, with greater emphasis on the informational aspects of science and convergent, problem-solving activities. (Editor/SJL)

Discusses how assumptions of methodology rigidly restrict theory testing in the area of sequential analysis of social interaction. Assumptions explored center on three aspects of process: coding schemes, the nature of time, and the quality of explanations engendered by sequential analysis methodologies. (JMF)

Among the variables examined were vocalizing to a child, vocalizing to a teacher, teaching child with approval, physically restraining child, and moving. Among findings were that group size was not significant for children's behavior but was significant for teachers' behavior. (SBH)

Describes the research method and the results of behavior analysis of successful negotiators during actual negotiations between union and management representatives and the behaviors that distinguish the skilled from the average negotiators. (MF)

Stating that motivation is a product of the interaction between employer and employee, the authors discuss the "Pygmalion effect" (whereby the expectations of a manager influence the performance of subordinates), the importance of communication, and the components of nonverbal communication: environment, proxemics, postures, gestures,…

Discusses parent-child interactions in which the content of television programing appears as explicit subject matter. Examines ways in which a child's development may be affected by these parent-child interactions. (JMF)

Presents a computer analysis of talk-silence patterns of mixed sex triads related to levels of communication apprehension. Results indicate that high apprehensives talk less, talk less often, and are interrupted less often than low apprehensives. Discusses the implications of computer use in talk-silence behavior research. (JMF)

Reports a survey of elementary and middle school teachers regarding behaviors they perceived as signalling a lack of communicative competence on the part of students. Results indicate, that from a teacher's point of view, communication competence involves a complex of behaviors including attitudinal/motivational, as well as cognitive dimensions.…

An intervention package consisting of immediate feedback, delayed social reinforcement, and early access to free time was designed and implemented in an attempt to increase the participation of four-year-old nursery school students in a group activity session. Participation increased when the feedback and praise conditions were introduced. (Author)

Verbal response classes produced by mothers speaking to 21 nonretarded children were compared with those of mothers speaking to 21 Down's syndrome children (38 to 144 months) matched with them on mean length of utterance. (Author/SBH)

This study examined the relationship between the frequency of adult/peer interactions of preschool children and their perceptual role-taking ability. (CM)

Reports on the news gathering behaviors of 24 mass media science writers. Concludes that organizational constraints were the major factors determining news selection strategies, but that individual-level variables came into play at both the information gathering and writing stages. (RL)

Attempted to clarify the dynamics between creativity and misbehavior in the classroom by determining the extent to which creativity test scores predict identification of students by teachers and/or peers as misbehavers. Results generally failed to support that high creativity scores predict teacher identification of students as behavior problems.…