Argues for a developmental account of social information-gathering ability, one that is consistent with the larger body of evidence concerning sociocognitive abilities in infants and young children. Notes that little is known concerning when and how young children acquire this important skill. (MDM)

Researchers have identified several key competencies of resilient children, including social and intellectual competence, ability to plan and set realistic goals, and resourcefulness. These areas of competency are not predestined but can be learned in families, schools, and communities. Educators can work with others to enhance conditions in…

A study investigated effects of two intervention strategies (contextual and coworker) on the social interactions and integration with peers of five workers with mental retardation. Neither intervention had a significant impact on the frequency of interactions; however, it appeared that the presence of a job coach suppressed interaction rates.…

Describes a life space crisis intervention (LSCI) with a seriously disturbed adolescent. The LSCI showed how the youth unwittingly provoked peer rejection by making outrageous and inappropriate comments. Discusses the New Tools Salesmanship Intervention which taught the student prosocial skills and the student's reintegration into a regular…

This study examined the patterns of acquisition of social, communication, and daily living skills for children with autism and compared the patterns to children with mental retardation and controls by quantifying intradomain scatter on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales. Results found autistic development is deviant rather than delayed in…

Investigated whether black racial identity attitudes predict psychosocial competence as defined by F. Tyler's tridimensional model of psychosocial competence. Gender differences in racial identity attitudes were found for the sample of 103 black undergraduates, but black racial identity attitudes were not associated with the individual's sense of…

Interviews with directors and counselors at five camps that integrate children with disabilities into their programs show that integration is successful when there is adequate staff preparation and ongoing peer support and coaching. Interviews with 124 anglers revealed that although there are racial and gender differences in reasons for fishing,…

St. Louis, Missouri's New City School begins each academic year by teaching multiple-intelligences theory to its students and by educating parents via portfolio nights. There is heavy emphasis on the personal intelligences, since the abilities to work with others and to capitalize on individual strengths are the keys to successful adulthood. (MLH)

A survey of 90 superintendents participating in the Ohio Institute for Effective Leadership valued effective oral and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills most highly. Leadership success also depends on being visible and accessible, having a sense of humor, being caring and compassionate, keeping a sense of balance,…

Three studies examined the hypothesis that aggressive-rejected children are unaware of their social status because they are self-protective when processing negative peer feedback. Found that aggressive rejected boys could accurately assess others' social status, but aggressive rejected boys and girls were more unrealistic in assessing their own…

Suggests using books to nurture development of children's positive self-images by employing Narrative Therapy, a family therapy technique. Discusses guidelines to help children behave in more socially mature ways. Defines terms used in Narrative Therapy and gives examples of techniques. Lists children's books by therapy category and suggests ways…

Research on humans and monkeys is reviewed that supports the view that the medial temporal lobe, and, perhaps more specifically the amygdala, is the neural substrate underlying social deficits in autism. The relationship of early medial temporal lobe lesions to memory and socioemotional behavior is reviewed, as are the roles of the amygdala and…

This meta-analysis examined 152 studies on social skill deficits among students with learning disabilities (LD). Quantitative synthesis showed that about 75% of students with LD manifest social skill deficits that distinguish them from comparison samples. Approximately the same level of group differentiation was found across different raters…

The role of Australian university vice-chancellors was examined by analyzing journals kept by 19 administrators over 14 days, which recorded 17 hours' activities daily. The administrators were found to commit 68.7 hours to official duties over 5 days, 77 hours over 7 days, and spend most of the working week on campus. Their work is essentially…

Examined influence of gender, behavioral style, social competence, reciprocal friendships, and social clique membership on naturally occurring aggression in preschoolers. Found that variations in aggression were associated with behavioral style and social competence and that children within cliques were similar in frequency of observed aggression.…