A prominent Soviet scientist traces the reasons underlying the current surge in superstition, cults, and antitechnological protests in his country. The use of military power as an instrument of politics, the origins of the current critical events, the power of political and social extremism, the effects of Chernobyl, and the comeback of…

Twenty studies using cognitive-behavioral interventions to influence social behavior of children and adolescents were critically reviewed, using six criteria: subject characteristics, treatment specification, outcome measures, experimental design, generalization and maintenance, and cost effectiveness. It is concluded that cognitive-behavioral…

The social participation patterns of 28 young children with visual impairments (some with additional disabilities) during free-play periods was compared across specialized and integrated settings. Although no significant differences were found between settings, there were significant differences between children with and without additional…

The effectiveness of peer-mediated intervention on the social behavior of eight socially withdrawn preschoolers was examined. Intervention conducted by classroom assistants resulted in the withdrawn preschoolers increasing their social interactions with peers during instructional triads and improving their behavior. (Author/JDD)

A review of nine studies on the efficacy of metacognitive interpersonal problem-solving training with students who have learning and behavior problems found demonstrated cognitive gains but less success in demonstrating that such gains were subsequently applied to actual behavior or generalized to other social behavior. (DB)

Found that, contrary to prevailing assumptions, parents retain a notable but indirect influence over their child's peer associates during adolescence. Specific parenting practices, such as monitoring, encouragement of achievement, and joint decision making, were significantly associated with specific adolescent behaviors, such as academic…

Examined the relationship between maternal and infant measures of interaction, maternal psychosocial problems, infant cognitive development, and infant attachment security at 18 months of age and child behavior problems at age 5. Disorganized-disorientated attachment status and maternal psychosocial problems were the strongest predictors of…

A teacher's outlook toward academically capable but difficult students is presented that emphasizes how to handle them in heterogeneous classes. (LB)

Teacher ratings of the social skills of 98 preschool children with learning disabilities, mild mental retardation, or normal achievement on the Adaptive Social Behavior Inventory indicated significant group differences on the express, comply, and prosocial factors, but not on the disrupt factor. (Author/JDD)

Two boys (ages 6 and 15) with severe, multiple handicaps participated in social play activities with 10 nonhandicapped fifth graders, who had been trained on interaction with socially withdrawn children. Increases in all participants' socially directed behavior were observed. Both boys with handicaps increased targeted motor responses when…

Eleven learning-handicapped students (ages 8-13) worked in dyads during a microcomputer-based writing activity, and their behaviors were coded as initiations/responses, verbal/nonverbal. Overall, student interactions had a negative impact on story production. Students exhibited higher levels of assertive, demanding behavior than requests for peer…

Suggests that while health problems experienced by young people are largely the result of psychological and behavioral factors, peer-led initiatives can have a positive effect on several factors that influence their health. Reviews strengths of peer support, including effects on self-esteem, self-efficacy, and locus of control. Discusses practical…

Investigates whether the cognitive style of students with behavior problems are different from children with no reported problems. Considers how students of different styles manifest their problem behaviors. Indicates the cognitive styles differ while the types of behavior problems exhibited, such as verbal disruption and physical aggression,…

Presents a case study in the praxis of "constructing childhood." Relates the history of a campaign in turn-of-the-century Germany against "filth and trash," the professed goal of which was to protect minors from the effects of penny magazines, movies, and popular songs. Presents theses on the motivation of adult campaigners.…

Addresses ways to reexamine the world of information from small world perspectives and suggests implications for public libraries. Highlights include a conceptual scheme to examine small world lives, including social norms, world views, social types, and information behavior; and ethnographic inquiries to illustrate how qualitative methodology can…