A bullying incident provided a consultant/substitute teacher with an opportunity to use conflict as a teachable moment for social learning. Victimized students acknowledged aggressive behavior, allowed it to emerge, and through the group's efforts, modified a potentially destructive situation into socially productive endeavors. Offenders were…

Explores the process of socialization among black males in the United States through interview data from 230 subjects, focusing on the effect of structure of family of origin. Findings show the lack of a statistically significant relationship between family structure and effective early socialization. (SLD)

A national sample of 4-H curriculum materials was analyzed, showing fewer instances than expected of life skills that 4-H promotes (decision making, problem solving, leadership), little evidence of interpersonal skills and competencies (teamwork, negotiation, diversity), and great emphasis on knowledge acquisition skills. (SK)

Study investigated personality traits and social competence as predictors of delinquency in adolescent girls. Agreeableness did not correlate with the overall delinquency score. The more crimes reported, the less conscientious, more neurotic, and more open the girls were. Correlation between delinquency and extroversion was not statistically…

Examines the clinical profile of children who have witnessed severe marital discord in comparison with normative children. Results indicate that the witnessing group of children has lower social competence, has more behavior problems, and exhibits more internalizing and externalizing behaviors than the comparative normative sample. (Contains 56…

Examines the relationship between poverty and family instability during childhood on prosocial behavior (volunteerism) during late adolescence. Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY), including mother and family records, indicate that adolescents, particularly males, from single parent families are less likely than those from…

Some people who reach leadership positions lack soft skills such as self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and self-awareness. Coaching or mentoring can help them pay attention to feedback and practice more effective leadership behavior. (SK)

Investigates consistent participation in extracurricular activities as a contributor to long-term educational success. Consistent extracurricular activity participation was associated with high educational status at young adulthood including college attendance. Educational status was, in turn, linked to reciprocal positive changes between…

Investigated effects of age and sociability on school children's private speech during independent school assignments. Findings from 113 public school children in kindergarten through fourth grade revealed main effect for grade level. Found linear trend, indicating that, as children progressed from kindergarten to fourth grade, their task-relevant…

"Cloutmeisters" think clear and complete thoughts years into the future about who owes them what, how those debts might best be collected, who's worth cultivating, and who can be ignored with impunity. Because clout depends on petty, manipulative, and mean-spirited behavior, administrators must exercise considerable ingenuity to practice…

When imitated, toddlers were more likely to continue to act on an object; if continuing, repeat the same action on the object; generate games, especially imitation games, and look at their partner's face. These social influence processes are thought to operate naturally in peer interactions and contribute to the behavioral organization that…

Procedures were developed to teach two young children with severe handicaps to get an adult's attention and make a request. Both mastered a routine of getting up, walking over to the adult, and exhibiting appropriate attention-getting behavior after training. Behavior was maintained at a three-week follow-up. (Author/PB)

Social and psychological problems displayed by Vietnam veterans have been classified as "Delayed Stress Syndrome." Grief theory provides model that helps explain reactions. Failure to resolve grief can result in delayed reactions. Vietnam experience was replete with significant traumatic losses; many were not resolved. Some Vietnam…

Describes application of techniques for structuring interchange and feedback process in adolescent psychotherapy groups, including random assignment of "roles" for each member during sessions, "parent hot seat" exercises, group goal booklets, and negotiation exercises. Techniques discussed have proven helpful in ensuring effective group…

If administrators personalize attacks, defend themselves, or argue with detractors, anger will escalate and the situation will degenerate further. This article explains why people attack and advises how to respond by using reflective listening, inviting criticism, focusing on the problem itself, exploring suggested solutions as legitimate options,…