Describes and critiques criteria used to evaluate socially competent behavior of women. Discusses the relationship between the definition of competence used and the assessment methods relied on. Notes the advantages of focusing on specific goals and provides a checklist that consumers can use to review the content of training programs. (Author/ABB)

A study of children's art as a function of gender of child, picture condition (drawings of same-sex versus mixed-sex dyads), and child-rearing setting (United States town, Israeli town, and Israeli kibbutz) confirms that boys, particularly Americans, are more aggressive, competitive, and hierarchical in their depicted relationships than are girls.…

Thirty-two boys rejected by their peers in grades one through three, identified on the basis of negative sociometric nominations and negative social behavior, were randomly assigned to one of four treatment conditions (a) instructions to promote positive social behavior, (b) prohibitions to reduce negative social behavior, (c) a combination of…

Examines children's cognitive phases by describing the role that distinctiveness and consistency information play in the causal attributions and behavior of peer-rejected and aggressive children. Correlates the existence of social information and lack of social information to the response style. (RJC)

The ways in which infants, toddlers, children, and adolescents learn social behaviors, through role models, social rules, and rewards and punishment, are described. A four-step social skills training program for preschoolers is discussed. A list of resource materials is provided. (JL)

Treatment of a sexually abused woman who lacked a sense of autonomy and self-worth is described in the context of entitlement, the transient sense of being an exception to ordinary rules of morality and ethics. Entitlement in this case was considered a developmental stage of autonomy and independence of the body. (Author/JDD)

Presents a classroom demonstration that reveals how the students' self-monitoring orientations are meaningfully related to their commitment in dating relationships. Shows how those high in self-monitoring tend to adopt an uncommitted orientation to dating relationships, and discusses how this exercise can lead to further classroom study.…

Examined efficacy of 10 weekly group counseling sessions on self-concept and social behavior among fourth, fifth, and sixth graders with learning disabilities. Compared to controls (N=30), children in experimental group (N=23) had significantly higher posttest scores on self-concept scale, and had more positive ratings on two social skills scales…

Indicates that males were more likely than females to use (1) violence against a noncompliant male persuasive target in a noninterpersonal relational context, and (2) direct coercion against persistently noncompliant and noninterpersonal persuasive targets in relational contexts with short-term consequences. (JD)

The authors explore ways in which beginning reading books present cultural perspectives to young children. They examine certain modes of thought, experience, and interaction prevalent in the child's preschool life in contrast to other types of experiences characteristic of the culture of formal and literate schooling. (Author/CT)

In support of moral education, the authors propose that teaching morality to criminals is a necessary and economic facet of correctional education, especially to combat crime in general and recidivism specifically. The authors view the criminal's inability to make rational, moral judgments as a major cause of crime. (Author/CT)

Reports on an experiment that examined the independent effects of television content (violence) and television formal features (action) on preschool boys' attention to programs and their postviewing social behavior. Shows rapid character action facilitated visual attention to the programs and that television action level had no systematic effects…

Thirty preschool children whose parents had shown congruence or lack of congruence in their attitudes toward adult control were observed in naturalistic settings. The children exhibiting the lowest level of prosocial behaviors had mothers with scores representing a high need for adult control and fathers whose scores were below the factor mean.…

Children often come to school with undesirable social skills. To help the classroom operate more smoothly, good manners are necessary. Activities and ideas to help teachers develop acceptable behaviors in students are offered. (DF)

Highlights findings from three research studies. These studies focused on: (1) a comparison of various types of preschool day care; (2) infants as young as 14 months old who performed deferred imitation; and (3) a behavior modification technique called "guided mastery." (DH)