Rates of friendly behavior were significantly greater after six moderately/severely retarded aggressive institutionalized adults participated in socialization games. The games also significantly decreased interpersonal distance. Unfriendly behavior and inactivity were higher after placebo sessions (simple craft projects). (CL)

Group contingencies with different criteria resulted in high performance averages for 12 elementary-aged learning disabled students. Two of the group contingencies produced significantly more frequent positive social interaction among subjects than that observed during baseline. (CL)

Findings indicate that lapses in conversation occur when one of the participants uses responses which fail to advance the topic. Analysis of the postlapse data indicates that subsequent to a lapse, the most probable strategy is for one of the participants to pose a question which the partner is obligated to answer. (PD)

The concept of assertiveness is defined, some of the theorized reasons for nonassertiveness problems are examined, and some methods used in assertiveness training are described, with special attention to their application with pharmacy students. Assertiveness training is recommended for pharmacists to assume a leadership role in health care.…

Describes some of the salient issues and how they were dealt with during the development and delivery of a multilevel evaluation of a large human relations training program in a federal agency. Nine references are listed. (Author/LLS)

Proposes using an expanded diagnostic interview with potential group clients to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of an unstructured or process type of group therapy. Suggests this interview goes beyond traditional screening interviews to combine screening, detailed interpersonal diagnosis, goal setting, and client preparation. (RC)

The study demonstrated the acquisition and generalization into community settings of a chronologically age-appropriate leisure skill with three severely and profoundly mentally retarded adolescents. Results indicated that participants could acquire and generalize use of an electronic pinball machine leisure skill effectively and learn to exhibit…

Proposes a view of values counseling that emphasizes values clarification and suggests that the strength of this approach is found in the process of values clarification. Encourages counselors to think about values counseling as an integrative process that is a purposeful approach derived from a theoretical base. (JAC)

A seven-week sequence of one-hour sessions of practice in assertiveness skills is elaborated. The mini-course is designed for the personal and professional development of senior baccalaureate nursing students. (SK)

Examined frequency of verbal attention-seeking responses (VASRs) as an indication of level of social confidence. Veteran drug addicts received communication skills and assertiveness training. Comparison of VASRs indicated communication training was effective in improving social confidence. (RC)

Learning disabled students need to be exposed to instruction in functional reading and mathematics, social information, and verbal and nonverbal social skills so that they can function as competent individuals in the every-day world. (CL)

A 15-year follow-up of 50 children initially diagnosed as communicatively impaired is reported. The survey describes Ss in terms of the educational levels they have attained, their motor skills, their social skills as perceived by their families, and any communication problems that may exist. (Author/DB)

A longitudinal study of personality styles and empathy at the University of Montreal to describe the characteristics of entering freshman medical students and to study changes during medical training is presented. Leisure-time activities and interpersonal relations seem to be little help in predicting capacity for empathy. (MLW)

Re-examines how a teacher's self-concept and attitudes are related to the promotion of a helping relationship with children. Teachers (N=88) responded to three questionnaires relating to self-concept and teacher-pupil relationship. Significant correlations were found between the measures, suggesting that self-esteem is related to the facilitation…

Compared effectiveness of a systematic social skills group training program to a bibliotherapy program group and a treatment control group. Results showed that the skills training group improved significantly more than the control group and showed superior improvement on the self-report measure. Results failed to demonstrate the efficacy of…