The effect of speech roles in individual conferences on the quality of thought in student writing. (Author)

It is proposed that clinicians should develop research-based assertiveness training procedures for homosexuals that are designed to facilitate homosexual functioning. Subjects (N=27) were assigned to a behaviorally oriented assertive training group or a non-directive group run by a homosexual guidance service. Self-report measures indicated…

This study investigated relationship of a graduate course in group counseling, number of hours completed in counselor education, and sex to the empathic understanding of trainees. The level of empathic understanding of the higher group was less than the level considered to be the minimum for effective counseling. (Author)

Comparison of attitudes of 60 elementary or middle school students with behavioral disorders and 60 students without BD (all at the elementary or middle school levels) regarding the current and future outcomes of interpersonal interactions found no significant differences between groups regarding positive interactions. However, students with BD…

A study compared the personal space preference (PSP) of 13 high school students with visual disabilities who attended a state school for students with blindness and 13 typical high schoolers. Results found that the male adolescents with visual disabilities chose a smaller PSP than did their male counterparts. (CR)

A study of 14 children with autism, 14 with mental retardation, and 14 typical children found the children with autism performed equally well as the others at interpreting social situations when only one social cue was present, but performed significantly worse than the others when multiple cues were present. (Author/CR)

The job of a college or university planned-giving officer is to seek gifts that the college will receive after the donor's death. It requires substantial interpersonal skills, legal and financial knowledge, and understanding of donor attitudes. While dealing with potential donors requires great tact, the gifts are often substantial. (MSE)

Examined effects on target children's sociodramatic role play of sociodramatic script training in combination with an intervention package consisting of peer role prompting, a group-oriented reinforcement contingency, and visual feedback. Found support for use, with a minimum of teacher involvement, of the peer-mediated intervention package in…

The principalship may be the most demanding school administrator role. Principals strive to provide vision and unity of purpose within challenging, dynamic, and highly political settings. To enhance job security, principals should refine their interpersonal skills, maintain a proper world perspective, delegate tasks appropriately, look for signs…

Quality of life issues in social skills assessment of persons with disabilities are discussed in terms of definitions, measures, applications to social skills assessment, and future needs. It is argued that broader measures need to be used in social skills assessment in order to evaluate quality of life changes. (CR)

A study examined the ability of six children (ages 8-12) with specific language impairment to participate in a group negotiation task. Each child interacted with two peers to select toys that children their age would enjoy. Subjects produced significantly fewer utterances than peers chronologically similar in age and language ability. (Author/CR)

Compared conflict resolution patterns of mildly developmentally delayed preschoolers to those of older and younger typically developing children matched for age or developmental level. Analysis of naturally occurring conflicts showed that delayed children exhibit more negative and less adaptive interaction style, even compared to typically…

Examined stability and behavioral correlates of peer acceptance from kindergarten through second grade. Found that social acceptance and peer competence were relatively stable. Stably rejected children showed poorer peer and teacher ratings of social behavior than others; transiently rejected children were rated moderate in social skill. Changes…

Offers language strategies to enhance the counseling process, based on the assumption that intentional and strategic use of words allows counselors to communicate more effectively with their clients. Focuses on linking to help people change their perspective about a situation, shifting perceptions, ways to create movement, and fostering…

Examined relationships between social contingency in mother-child interaction and the social competence of 47 two-year-olds from low-income families. Found that social contingency was related to children's use of self-regulatory strategies but not to empathic responsiveness. Child negative emotionality and gender contributed to explanations of…