The identification of facial expressions of emotion was studied in normal and psychiatrically disturbed children. Schizophrenic children were significantly less accurate than other children in emotion identification. Anxious-depressed children made more errors than unsocialized-aggressive and normal children. Normal and unsocialized-aggressive…

Describes a premarital group counseling program involving 35 committed couples. Results indicate that few role models were available for couples and that communication difficulties were apparent among many of the participants. Suggests counselors consider group premarital counseling as a valuable process for their clients. (Author)

Describes a contracting workshop for couples which is designed to strengthen their relationship. The counselor helps the couple make explicit and implicit agreements and rules by which the relationship operates. Through experiential exercises, minilectures, and group work, the couple's style of communication and decision making skills are…

Trigger films (short situational films followed by discussion) are seen as a suitable medium for teaching the intricacies of the interpersonal relationship, legitimate behavior patterns following doctor-patient interaction, and the sensitivity and ability to detect nonverbal and accessory communication. Guidelines for the production and use of…

Provides data on behavioral problems and competencies, identifies differences related to demographic variables, and compares normal children and those referred for professional help. Parents' responses to Child Behavior Checklist items reveal significant differences in socioeconomic status, children's age and referral status. Behavioral problems…

Preschool children were observed in a natural setting in order to examine the continuity of their play styles over a period of one year. Changes in play styles appeared to be affected by peer or teacher intervention. In particular, male peer groups effectively shaped male sex-typed behavior even when they engaged in play activities not…

Visually impaired students can be given effective career counseling if attention is paid to five essential elements: (1) exposure to the world of work; (2) job aspirations; (3) knowledge of job availability; (4) daily living and social skills; and (5) resources. (SK)

Carried out a principal axes factor analysis on the Improvisation Test for Individuals, a roleplaying technique for assessing interpersonal styles in adults. A structure of five factors, basically supported by subsequent oblique rotations, was identified as: Interpersonal Involvement, Task-oriented Assertiveness, Relationship-oriented…

In a study of teacher trainees' personality characteristics related to pupil control, humanistically oriented educators tended to be emotionally stable, expedient, positive, imaginative, venturesome, relaxed and had high self-concepts. Authoritarian educators were more affected by feelings, conscientious, sober, practical, shy, reserved, tense and…

Assessed the immediate and long-term impact of the Couple Communication Program. Married couples (N=17) were assigned to training groups. Change was assessed using self-report measures of marital adjustment and communication quality along with behavioral ratings of couple verbal interaction. Couples increased significantly on all measures at…

Evaluated the effectiveness of a U.S. General Accounting Office communications training program. Employees who underwent training reported more positive attitudes about communication skills and performed better on knowledge and recognition assessments, otherwise the relative amount of change on the measures was not very large. (Author)

A model is presented to demonstrate that systematic evaluation by design or planned, purposeful evaluation of recreational programs is possible. The evaluation model concepts of control group, randomization, and pretest and posttest are explained. (JN)

A study attempted to develop an instrument for assessing social integration of ethnic groups in the classroom. Sociometric questionnaires were used to ask second-grade students to choose classmates whose company they most preferred. Preliminary findings indicate that gender is a more divisive factor within the classroom than ethnicity. (JN)

Self-help groups of elderly persons (N=42), who had been blind for several years, met by phone for short-term problem solving and discussion of coping methods. Results indicated task-centered assignments helped the majority meet their goal of decreasing feelings of hopelessness and increasing social activities outside of the home. (Author)

Teaching written communication in a secondary school foreign language class requires the creation of an authentic psycho-sociocultural environment. Given this environment, four types of activity are outlined: letter writing, writing advertisements and announcements, various types of forms to be filled in, and exercises arising from a learning need…