The Index of Personality Characteristics (IPC) and the Social Reasoning subtest of the British Ability Scales were administered to 36 students with behavior disorders (BD) and 37 nonexceptional students in grades 3-7. Results indicated that the IPC composite score in combination with the Social Reasoning subtest accurately predicted BD…

Compared social interactions of persuasive preschoolers to those of dominant and less persuasive peers. In comparison to other children, persuasive children made more attempts to persuade, used a moderate number of extremely friendly or aggressive strategies, and had a lower rate of compliance. (GLR)

Examined the question of whether the child-rearing beliefs and strategies of mothers predict their preschoolers' social competence with peers. Mothers of children rejected by peers were less likely to teach their children about social skills, spent less time in child-centered activities, and used more punishment than did other mothers. (GLR)

Seventeen college undergraduates, possessing either basic or consolidated formal operations, received eight weeks of interpersonal skills training and pre- and posttraining assessments of social perspective taking and moral reasoning. Gains in moral reasoning were related to subjects' possessing prerequisite cognitive and perspective-taking…

Discusses the use of simulations in education and suggests ways in which they can be made more cost effective. Highlights include electronic performance support systems; smart tools; examples of the use of simulations in an electronics laboratory and for interpersonal problem-solving skills; and computer-aided instructional design. (Contains 11…

Notes innovation and creativity as an alternative to violent response to anger or frustration. Discusses prerequisites for success of social problem approach to conflict resolution and presents six specific steps to this approach and its benefits for both teacher and children. (HTH)

A training package consisting of instruction in role-play social behaviors, reinforcement of appropriate behaviors, and a correction procedure was used with 20 children (ages 7-13) with deafness and severe language disabilities. The training package was effective in increasing greeting, turn waiting, initiating interaction, and giving help; and…

This paper on the relationship of language impairment, social skills, and socioemotional behavior introduces the following issues: the influence of language impairment on the social interactions of children; the association between language and challenging behavior; and the relationship between language impairment, social problems, and psychiatric…

The Battelle Developmental Inventory (BDI) was administered to 121 young children, and parents rated them with the Social Skills Rating System 2-3 years after entry into the study. Correlations between the two measures revealed very weak to modest relationships, providing limited support for the BDI as a predictive measure of future…

Reviews research available on the development and evaluation of social competence of young children, focusing on children age one through six years. Finds no universally accepted definition of social competence, and notes that social competence is a complex construct involving interrelationships of cognitive, social, and biological factors. (MM)

Addresses why childhood educators should concern themselves with the issue of childhood loneliness and isolation. Reviews research findings that show loneliness predisposes children and adolescents to a wide array of adverse consequences that suggest the need for incorporating loneliness reduction strategies within existing childhood programs.…

Examined early adolescents' self-esteem and perceived competence in the cognitive, social, and physical domains. Self-esteem, perceived social and physical competence, and cognitive competence were either stable or increased for most children. Concluded that early adolescents' perceptions of self-esteem and competence are not adversely affected by…

High-probability requests were used to increase responsiveness to low-probability requests to initiate social interactions in three young boys with severe disabilities who were severely socially withdrawn. Increases were also found in unprompted social initiations and generalizations to a nontraining setting. Maintenance after training was also…

Cooperative learning is a developmentally appropriate tool that enhances subject relevancy and real-life learning for adolescents. When coupled with an interdisciplinary curriculum, cooperative learning can add instructional variety, help students show consideration for others, involve students in decision making and problem solving, provide…

Examination of the school records of 41 children (ages 3 to 18) identified as having higher functioning autistic disorder (H-F AD) indicated that subjects' characteristics (including cognitive, language, social, developmental, and medical) were as similar to those of children with learning disabilities as they were to other children diagnosed as…