Discussed is the rationale behind parent involvement in guidance and educational activities, together with specific suggestions for involving parents with other adults (parent advisory committees, informal coffees, Transactional analysis (groups etc.), with children (story hours, trips, demonstrations, counseling booths, testing, interviewing,…

The use of group discussions, somewhat structured at first, to help youngsters know themselves and one another, is described by a school nurse and principal who helped establish such a program in a Denver school. (CJ)

Considered were the behaviors relevant to friendship and how best to teach them while at the same time providing positive experiences for clients. The results of this study appear to support the feasibility of using a programmed procedure for learning interpersonal skills. Subjective reactions by counselors and students were favorable. (Author)

Compared two approaches to assessing the development of persuasive skills in children: asking them to generate messages versus having them select from preformulated messages or strategies. Also investigated the approach of asking children to indicate their rationale for choosing a particular message. Found more success with message generation than…

Three related studies clarify and extend the meaning of interaction involvement: (1) examines the factor structure of the Interaction Involvement Scale; (2) reports a correlation of analysis of newly interpreted involvement factors, including neuroticism, extraversion, communication competence, etc.; and (3) reports initial findings of the…

Examines the nature of the changing labor market. Focuses on the issue of youth unemployment (especially its effects on disadvantaged urban youth), the major causes of youth employment, and how educational and/or employment and training systems can better prepare disadvantaged urban young people for success in the work force. (Author/AOS)

A recent approach to dealing with adolescent problems is social skills training, which emphasizes specific prosocial alternative responses for problematic situational interactions. Research has shown that social skills training has positive outcomes. However, it is not known whether an emphasis on the cognitive might enhance maintenance and…

Provides elementary teachers and counselors with a systematic method for identifying self-esteem problems. Through use of a self-esteem matrix, practitioners will be able to make systematic interventions using individual or group counseling, family counseling or class guidance. Specific activities are suggested. (JAC)

Used an ecological-system perspective to consider socially isolated children in three contexts: as individuals, as partners in dyadic intervention, and as members of a social group or hierarchy. Implications for interventions that may facilitate isolated children's access to peer interaction in both dyadic and group contexts are suggested.…

The oral history and ethnographic interview are two techniques for providing depth and direction for fieldwork experiences. Students use these techniques to enhance interaction with others they encounter in the field, and the methods occasionally change the students' perspectives and enliven later research efforts. (MSE)

A 4-week course teaching interpersonal skills helps optometry students develop self-awareness in handling patients and other practice problems. Among the topics covered are questioning techniques, patient communication types, children, and difficult questions. (Author/MSE)

Judges rated beginning and advanced counseling students' communication abilities based on a therapeutic triad encompassing empathic understanding, respect and facilitative genuineness. Ratings were compared to the same students' scores on a scale measuring self-actualization. Results show no relationship between self-actualization and effective…

Examined the effects of training high school students (N=56) to accurately label facial affects of happiness, sadness, fear, anger, surprise, disgust, and neutrality. The treatment period extended over three, one-hour group presentations. Found the experimental group significantly improved its ability to accurately label facial affect following…

Examined the perceived effects of holding a resident assistant position on the lives of former resident assistants (N=59) 5-20 years later. Results showed interpersonal and group skills influenced them more than personal skills; length of time spent as a resident assistant increased the benefits; and females reported more impact. (JAC)

Defines and describes the concept of social cognition and its relationship to various psychological positions. Outlines Selman's stage theory of social cognition and the influence of Piaget's theory. Issues of interpersonal understanding are related to concepts of the individual, friendship, peer group and parent-child relations. (JAC)