A study investigated the decision-making process regarding the cigarette smoking of students in grades 5, 7, 9, and 11. Results indicate that greater emphasis needs to be placed on the social factors of the decision-making process in school health education programs and that the emphasis on social concerns should increase with grade level. (JN)

A social effectiveness program which teaches positive social behavior to socially handicapped children is described. The social effectiveness training inservice program agenda includes: (1) establishing expectations for social behavior; (2) introducing and strengthening new skills; and (3) positive feedback and ignore-attend-praise strategies. (JN)

The dyadic interaction of popular and unpopular children was compared. Analysis revealed that unpopular children were more disagreeable and less likely to provide a general reason or rule for their disagreement or to suggest a constructive alternative when criticizing a peer. (Author/MP)

Dyadic free play of 32 preschool children (16 deaf and 16 hearing) was videotaped on two occasions; each child was observed once with a deaf partner, once with a hearing partner. Results are discussed in terms of the social interactions of hearing and deaf children, with particular attention to the characteristics of initiation attempts.…

The premise that "sports builds character" is scrutinized through a discussion of several contact sports--boxing, hockey, and football. The fine line between assertiveness and aggression is explored, and the interrelationship between society and sports is investigated. (JN)

Investigates teachers' responses to initiations of interaction by severely mentally handicapped children who were rated as extremely excitable or inhibitable. (MP)

The daily behavior of 240 mentally retarded adult residents and 75 staff members was analyzed in relation to facility size (ranging from 6 to 20 residents) and other environmental variables. Staff behavior was remarkably homogeneous and generally unrelated to facility characteristics. In contrast, resident behavior differed significantly across…

This paper describes some of the more current research in the area of social networks of the early adolescent (ages 10 to 15), and discusses the direction of research in adolescent social networks. (KC)

Reviews current psychological and social issues that relate to the adolescent period of development, explores problem areas in counseling adolescents and provides practical suggestions on approaches to these problems. Helpful attitudes which work with this age group are described. (Author)

The relationships among self-concept, classroom interaction, and academic achievement were investigated in this study of preadolescent elementary school students. Results indicate that the low self-concept students showed more social withdrawal, academic difficulties, and inappropriate attention than did students with high self-concepts. (JN)

Results show teacher ratings and achievement score changes for all groups with the modulation group superior only in teacher ratings of Personal-Social behavior. Usefulness of this form of intervention in meeting the child's needs and in treating the concomitants of school failure are discussed. (Author)

Teenagers, classified according to Rotter's Locus of Control Scale, indicated whether or not and why they engaged in alcohol consumption or marijuana smoking. A higher proportion of externals drank but the groups did not generally differ in marijuana smoking behaviors. (Author/BEF)

High school sex education courses appear to facilitate attitudinal change in student tolerance of the sexual practices of others, but the personal value system of the student remains intact. Such programs appear to have little effect on the amount of sexual behavior while increasing the use of contraceptive methods among sexually active students.…

Examines important behaviors and changes through which adolescents establish their autonomy. Concludes that high school students' drive for autonomy incorporates: (1) growth in behavioral autonomy from parents; (2) increased emotional autonomy from friends; and (3) the development of "grown up" identity through commission of status offenses that…

Compares 14 instruments measuring social-communicative anxiety and concludes that virtually every measure was significantly and strongly associated with most other measures and most reflected the same general construct. (JMF)