This paper offers a tentative and exploratory discussion of the assumptive bases and ethical implications of a theory of interpersonal listening based on empathy. The first major section of the paper presents a brief historical overview of the empathic tradition, particularly as it relates to interpersonal communication study and to theory…

A description of the making of a program entitled "Piggy in the Middle," which was designed to provoke thought, increase discussion, and increase general awareness in teenagers in Great Britain. (HB)

Advantages and disadvantages of environment-focused methods (such as operant and parent training techniques) and of person-focused approaches (such as social skills training) with aggressive children are examined. A synthesis of the two approaches is urged. (Author/CL)

Four parents trained in specific methods for teaching social interaction skills to their mentally retarded and nondisabled children increased their prompting and praising techniques. These changes were accompanied by increases in the amount and duration of their children's play interactions. (CL)

Studies of the susceptibility of observations of adult-child interactions to bias because of the physical attractiveness of target persons indicated that when making global ratings observers were significantly and favorably biased toward attractive women. No bias was obtained when observers used a molecular coding strategy. (RH)

Investigated the role of a group structuring technique on the amount and depth of process involvement in two counseling training groups. The results partly supported the conclusion that early structure significantly affects process involvement among group members. Additionally, both groups showed strong gains in depth of process involvement over…

A disabled adult remembers his experiences growing up with nondisabled children and learning to interact and make friends. (CL)

Examined the Lennox-Wolfe Self-Monitoring Scale for its capacity to predict shrewd and pragmatic styles of behavior in 95 subjects tested prior to entering college. Results showed the scale correlates with a measure of shyness (negatively) and sociability (positively) in theoretically consistent directions. Results partially validate the…

Results of a study involving an autistic adolescent revealed that spontaneous interactions with and initiations to nonhandicapped peers increased with the introduction of the second training peer. Across-peer generalization was more evident after training with the third peer and continued after cessation of training tactics. (Author/CL)

A social skills training package including modeling, behavior rehearsal, feedback, and contingent reinforcement on the interpersonal responses of three depressed youth produced changes in specific responses associated with the introduction of treatment in those areas. Natural environment assessments revealed that performance gains generalized to…

Results of an investigation of the psychosocial correlates of depression in 31 mildly mentally retarded adults showed that depression was associated with informant ratings of poor social skills. (Author/DB)

Socially withdrawn preschoolers can be encouraged to interact with peers by appointing them as classroom managers. Such an approach can be used within the existing classroom structure and requires no major changes in teacher or student practices. (CL)

Regular and special educators (N=334) identified the social skill competencies necessary for successful performance in secondary mainstream settings. Competencies fell into three major areas: appropriate work habits, respect for others and their property, and ability to follow school rules. (Author/CL)

An alternating treatment design was used to examine differential treatment effects of employing single and multiple peers to promote social interactions of two handicapped preschoolers. Differential treatment results were generally not found. Both types of peer-initiation interventions produced increases in handicapped children's social…