Examined dimensions of social competence by several measures of adaptive behavior, social skills, and peer acceptance among 452 elementary school students. Found method of measurement to be most important factor in assessment of social competence. Considers interacting influences of method, setting, and content on assessment of social competence.…

Administered questionnaires to 177 college students to examine relationship of family structure, family relationship variables, and personal attributes to previous dating behaviors. Family structure had no effect on number of partners. Adolescents from nonintact households began dating earlier than those from intact households. Personal attributes…

School-based, social problem-solving (SPS) training offers promise both for the prevention and remediation of social maladjustment of disabled children, with emphasis placed on social competence, social skills, and social problem-solving. Strategies for maximizing SPS skills acquisition include repetition, modeling, and role-playing. (CB)

One hundred and seventy-nine first to fourth graders who had experienced one or more of six health problems were judged by classroom teachers to have more serious school adjustment problems and fewer school competencies than a demographically matched peer group of 710 youngsters who had not experienced such problems. (Author)

Based on the recollections of high-achieving young adults, concludes that while the major influence of memorable teachers is on academic competence and performance, the characteristics perceived as having had notable influence are interpersonal skills and affective qualities. (GC)

Provides information on the following for parents and care-givers of gifted children: (1) recognizing giftedness; (2) dealing with nongifted children in the family; (3) effect of chronic early ear infection on IQ; (4) introversion; (5) "normalizing" gifted children; (6) need for gifted peers; and (7) responsive parenting. A list of guidelines for…

Frequency of rule violations was tabulated for two mildly mentally retarded and two learning disabled males (ages 9-11). All four received social skills training, and two additionally received contingency management intervention. Post-intervention data on rule violations and teacher approval ratings for observed social skills yielded mixed…

Explores the relations between temperament, communicative competence, and humor expression among four- and five-year-old nursery school children. Shows that ratings of communicative competence and various dimensions of temperament account for a significant proportion of the variance in the reported frequency of children's laughter and verbal and…

Proposes a model of social exchange in children which conceptualizes social behavior as a function of the child's processing of a set of social environmental clues. Reports results of two studies which provide support for a reciprocal influence model of the relation between social information-processing patterns and children's social behavior.…

The authors present a detailed description of an integrated program that includes skill context in (1) personal development, (2) work assistance, (3) communication, and (4) life skills. The program is designed to help behaviorally disordered adolescents prepare for reintegration into the mainstream of society. (Author/CH)

Clinically depressed persons and dysphoric normals have a negative impact on others. This study attempted to identify what about the dysphoric paralinguistic style creates the aversive impact experienced by others. Results suggest that soft, flat tones, with long pauses and variable loudness and pitch were significant. (Author/KS)

Describes the interpersonal cognitive problem solving (ICPS) skills approach for remediating peer relationship difficulties in children and adolescents. ICPS training studies are also reviewed. ICPS training seems effective as a remediation and primary prevention strategy with maladjusted youngsters and as a secondary prevention strategy with…

The uses for computer-controlled interactive video using a videodisc in training are discussed. Elements of the videodisc are examined: interactivity, soft skills training ability, effectiveness as a training agent, acceptance of videodisc by trainers, price, and cost-effectiveness. (CT)

Reviews and integrates several aspects of peer interaction in the infant/toddler period. Reveals convergence between age-related changes in social skills and similarly timed cognitive developments. (HOD)

Assesses the degree of difficulty parents attribute to specific socialization tasks; explores the relation between parents' perceived difficulty and children's perceived and actual competence in these two domains; and determines whether the ease or difficulty of these child rearing tasks, as perceived by parents, varies as a function of the…