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)

Suggests that socially anxious and low anxious males may perceive social events similarly but interpret them differently. (RL)

Presents a review of research on young children's understanding of social behavior (social cognition). (CM)

Studies effects of behavior rehearsal and audiotaped vignettes added to an assertion training lecture series for third graders. While clear increases in assertion were found, no effect on neuroticism or trait anxiety was noted. It was recommended that school mental health programs include an assertiveness segment in their curriculum. (Author/BEF)

Relationships among decentering and behavioral ratings were studied in 23 children aged 10-13 residing at a seven-week therapeutic summer camp. A total of 14 children enrolled in a summer remedial program served as a control group. The social decentering task was Feffer's Role Taking Task. A number of measures of social effectiveness were used.…

The human being, while essentially solitary and desiring independence, is at the same time deeply in need of companionship and acceptance and is concerned for the well-being of others. (JD)

A survey of 137 older persons from the mailing list of a multipurpose senior center found that participants and nonparticipants in the center's activities did not differ in terms of their life satisfaction. Life satisfaction was predicted by the respondents' activity level, financial status, and health status. (Author)

Social exchange theory was employed to predict instigative helping behavior as a function of two types of resources available to the recipient for reciprocation (social and non-social). The possibility of influencing reciprocation of both types of resources produced significant increases in subjects' helping. (Author)

Investigates the effects of situational constraint and type of causal explanation on the degree to which described behavior would be perceived as evidencing "mental illness" and the degree to which it would lead to social rejection. (Editor/RK)

Using the methods of ethnography of communication, this three-part study investigates time and timing, social elements, and individual information behavior in sense making. Argues that the sense-making concept captures how information behavior creates meaning and that a research focus on information and information-seeking divides people from…