Tested model of family structure and process using 133 children where both divorced parents remained in children's lives about 3 years after separation. Found role diffusion, lack of coparental alliance, parental boundary problems, parent-child rejection associated with reduced social competence and behavioral difficulties (especially in boys and…

This study examined cognitive correlates of social perception in 32 learning-disabled elementary students. Three subtests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised and the Profile of Nonverbal Sensitivity were used as measures. Subtests for Picture Arrangement and Comprehension seemed to have an inherent relation to social perceptual…

Tests the hypothesis that listener-adapted communication (LAC) is positively related to extroversion and that this relationship is independent of differentiation. Finds that the hypothesis was supported and that differentiation did not have the strong effect on LAC reported in past research. (SR)

The article examines advances and remaining psychometric problems in social skills assessment technology for students with learning disabilities. Assessment is related to a proposed definition of learning disabilities by the Interagency Committee on Learning Disabilities which identifies social skills deficits as a primary learning disability. (DB)

People do not know instinctively how to interact effectively with others. For cooperation to succeed, students must get to know and trust one another, communicate accurately and unambiguously, accept and support one another, and resolve conflicts constructively. A seven-step recommended procedure is outlined. Includes nine references. (MLH)

Examines the separate and combined impact of hedges, hesitations, and intensifiers on perceptions of authoritativeness, sociability, character, and similarity, and the extent to which messages containing one or more of these language variables differ from a "prototypically" powerless message in evaluative consequences. (MS)

Social skills assessment techniques for determining individual-specific deficits are presented within a framework for integrating information and identifying reciprocal relationships. Employing socially valid measures is recommended to determine target behaviors that predict relevant outcomes and to assess training efficacy. (Author/JDD)

Comparison of autistic with nonautistic mentally retarded youth on three role-taking tasks and three measures of social competence found the autistic group deficient on each of the social competence measures and one of the role-taking measures. (Author/DB)

Discusses use of rock music lyrics to help hard-to-reach adolescents communicate feelings about their social roles and development. Asserts that guided discussion about familiar lyrics and issues they invoke can help adolescents offer opinions, listen to others, and learn to disagree without being aggressive. (Author/NB)

Compares interpersonal valence and organizational climate. Argues that measures of interpersonal valence can serve as useful input to organizational climate and organization development research. Maintains that a convergence of the concepts offers rich opportunity for improving understanding of quality of life and that metric-multidimensional…

Demonstrates the relationship of planning to two social outcomes, loneliness and shyness. Examines the impact of plan complexity on behavior in two social contexts--asking for a date and ingratiating oneself to a new roommate. (MM)

Examined children's individual developmental functions in observed inhibited behavior toward strangers and in teacher judgments of inhibition in school. Found that IQ and teacher judgments of social competence predicted a decrease in both measures of inhibition from ages 4 through 10 years, suggesting that more intelligent or socially competent…

Administration of the Test of Interpersonal Problem Solving to 46 boys (grades 3-4) with learning disabilities (LD) and 46 boys without LD found that LD students had lower scores on Problem Formulation, Consequential Thinking, and Total Problem Solving Ability. No group differences were noted on two measures of creativity. (Author/JDD)

Examines the relationship between interpersonal communication competence dispositions and situated outcomes in the job selection interview. Finds that interpersonal competence was not related to evaluations of applicant performance. Suggests a rethinking of the role of cross-situational approaches to communication competence in light of…

This study of 20 elementary-school children with severe disabilities examined differences in their interactions with friends without disabilities compared with interactions with acquaintances without disabilities. Friends and acquaintances did not differ in developmental level, language age, functional movement, or social competence. Group…