Sequential analyses of dyadic interactions examined effects of input by 32 normally developing adolescents on responses of 7 male subjects with moderate-to-severe mental retardation. Prompts in the form of questions and comments were more likely to produce responses than directive prompts, and subjects were more likely to respond to male peers…

Adolescents (n=650) rated 10 activities involving drug and alcohol use, unprotected sexual intercourse, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in 6 domains concerning risk to self or others, pleasure, control, peer approval, and parental disapproval. A factor analysis of the items revealed three second-order factors: inherent danger,…

This article introduces three papers about research projects of the Early Childhood Research Institute of the University of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania). The papers address peer-mediated strategies to promote communicative interaction, social behavior in preschoolers with special needs, and the importance of parents as intervention agents. (JDD)

Compared early adolescent involvement with antisocial peers and boys' experiences at age 10. Poor parental discipline and monitoring, peer rejection, and academic failure at age 10 predicted involvement with antisocial peers at age 12. Continuity between boys' antisocial behavior and peer contact at ages 10 and 12 was found. (BC)

This study compared how alcohol effect expectancies and reaction expectancies related to one another and to male and female college students' drinking behavior. Analyses indicated that different types and patterns of expectancies were gender specific. Discusses results in terms of the nature of gender/expectancy/drinking relationships. (RJM)

Alcohol plays a role for women in seeming to facilitate friendships and self-medicating when relationships are poor. Theories about women's psychological development can be applied to designing prevention programs. The article describes an interactive college program that seeks to engage the audience emotionally and stresses peer participation…

Analyzes survey data from over 400 junior high school students in grades 7 and 8 to determine the relations among family drug use factors; peer drug use factors; school problems; psychosocial concerns; alcohol, marijuana, and other drug use; and abstinence. (SLD)

Researchers examined early adolescents' perceptions of the influence of social agents on their decisions to not join or cease participation in organized activities. Survey results found parents were the strongest influence in the decision to not join activities. Perceptions about significant other adults were most influential in decisions to cease…

This study involving three autistic and four nondisabled preschool children found that a peer-initiation intervention produced increases in peer initiations and social interactions when the teacher verbally prompted, but not without verbal prompts. When a correspondence training/visual feedback package was implemented, peer initiations and social…

Outlines a conceptual framework explaining the antecedent factors that underline attitudes concerning emigration from Israel, drawing on Durkheim's theory of integration and anomy. Applies this framework to an empirical case study examining the relationships between social and value integration of Israeli adolescents and their attitudes toward…

Reviews current research on effective strategies in teaching Logo that promote transfer of learning. Highlights include transfer theory; teacher intervention; the need for structured Logo environments; mediated instruction; teacher-designed microworlds; the role of peers in the learning process; and assessment of Logo learning. (34 references)…

Using a self-report questionnaire, this study investigated smoking experimentation among 374 rural, black fifth graders and white fifth graders. Results indicated that 26% of males and 16% of females had tried cigarettes. Black students and white students had similar smoking experimentation rates. Peer and parent smoking affected students smoking…

Describes research on the development of chronic conduct problems in childhood and adolescence, examining a multiple risk-factor model that includes biological predispositions, ecological context, family processes, peer influences, academic performance, and social information processing as factors leading to conduct problems. The paper describes a…

Discusses cooperative learning and considers the use of interactive group software. Highlights include students' roles in groups; group accountability and peer pressure; the use of strong narrative; and characteristics to look for when reviewing software for interactive group use, including opportunity and context for group interaction and social…

A teacher with National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification discusses her work to achieve that certification, focusing on peer pressure and self-doubts, the National Board certification process, and support she received from her students and peers in the process. (SM)