Studies the effectiveness of a token economy on specific inappropriate social behaviors of three first grade students. Suggests that token economy systems can be very effective in decreasing disruptive behaviors of primary aged students. (MG)

The study of four highly original preschool children found that the children had high levels of inner imagination, extremely varied expressive creative behavior with each having a "specialty area" as a creative focus, and different levels of social competence. Results support D. Shmukler's model for organizing elements of creativity in preschool…

Compared with fathers, mothers were more likely to pick up and hold infants, feed and comfort them, and invest time in displaying affection. Although there were sex differences in parents' rough and peek-a-boo play, mothers and fathers treated boys and girls quite similarly. (RH)

Examines institutionalization and marginalization in the context of the history of education. Contends marginality is a fluctuating concept. Introduces the concept of an intermediary zone between marginality and normal life defined as the area of fragile existence. Argues that studying the history of marginality can help researchers investigate…

The study compared the effects of different play conditions (microcomputer, remote-control robot, or no toys) on the amount of time four dyads of handicapped/nonhandicapped children would interact during structured play. Results suggested that microcomputers may serve as social facilitators for children with significant social and language…

Examines the relative importance of verbal, nonverbal, and social normative information in judgments of honesty and deceit. Finds strong support for the nonverbal cue primacy model and no support for the social-normative model. Suggests additional research is warranted on the relative strength of these sources and the manner of combination to form…

Analyzes responses of Brazilian and American students to measures of behavioral intention, perceived norms, and feelings regarding prosocial behaviors in both public and anonymous conditions. Concludes that Brazilians had internalized ingroup norms but that Americans had complied with norms because of social desirability pressures. (FMW)

Most observed conflicts were: (1) brief and lacked aggression; (2) resolved without adult intervention by children's insistence; (3) resulted in winner/loser outcomes; (4) concluded with children remaining together after the conflict. Social interaction before conflicts was unrelated to conflict behaviors other than aggression. (RH)

Self-report data on the physiological/behavioral response associated with embarrassment were collected by questionnaire in Greece, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and West Germany. Blushing/increased temperature and smiling/grinning were reported consistently, with considerable variation, across nations. Understatement and overstatement of…

Compared physically abused children's perceptions of television programing to those of non-abused children. Abused children watched more television than non-abused children, but were less able to name television characters or to identify an aggressive adult TV character they disliked. (Author/BB)

Reports a study that examined the influence of authoritarianism on the formation of behavioral intentions by female college students. High authoritarians took subjective norms less into account relative to low authoritarians, providing support for the theory that personal and subjective norms can be distinguished empirically. (LS)

Describes the computer program labeled ERVING which teaches students to reason sociologically using E. Goffman's classic dramaturgical perspective. Suggests that artificial intelligence programs offer a means for developing instructional models for the social sciences which are not amenable to a quantitative approach. (KO)

Two studies examined the influences of concordant and nonconcordant attachment relationships to mothers and to child caregivers on children's behavior in child care. In both studies, the child's level of competence in play with the caregiver and engagement with peers was a function of attachment security with both mother and caregiver. (NH)

Discusses the development of social policy since 1901, with special emphasis on the War on Poverty. Analyzes the relationships among poverty, social norms, and family structure. Outlines the problems of the new social condition, characterized by drug abuse and welfare dependency. (FMW)

A longitudinal study examined predictive relations among sociometric status, aggression, and adolescent childbearing; the relation among peer status, aggression, and multiple births; and whether these variables are related to the timing of adolescent childbearing. Results suggest that controversial peer status and aggression predict adolescent…