Presents results of two case studies in which parents served as cotherapists in a social cognitive problem-solving program: a 9-year-old boy referred for distractibility, immaturity, and impulsivity, and an 8-year-old boy referred for aggressive behaviors. (Author/NRB)

Measures humor appreciation (including mirth, subjective ratings, and response sets), comprehension, and production in children between the ages of 10 and 14. Relates humor to several areas of competence manifested at school. (HOD)

A modified Social Performance Survey Schedule was completed by teachers of 534 learning disabled (LD) or socially normal (SN) subjects (ages 8-15). SN subjects were perceived as having significantly more prosocial and significantly less antisocial behavior than LD subjects. Females were perceived as having more prosocial behavior than males.…

Children often come to school with undesirable social skills. To help the classroom operate more smoothly, good manners are necessary. Activities and ideas to help teachers develop acceptable behaviors in students are offered. (DF)

Discusses the importance of developing a support system for gay and lesbian housing staff members. To engage in this effort, interpersonal relationshiop skills must be acquired, enhanced and utilized. Inclusive staff development and support systems can enable all staff members to contribute even more to the profession. (JAC)

Results of individaul evaluations of four classes of medical students' (N=213) performance in a communication and interview skills curriculum were synthesized using methods typically used in literary meta-analytic reviews. Results showed a significant positive effect. Implications for program evaluation are discussed. (JAC)

A group of Chinese native speakers listened to recordings of six Americans speaking Chinese as a second language and rated them on several personality traits. Two groups of traits were identified: those the judges somehow associated with language proficiency, and others, nonproficiency related (such as honesty, friendliness, and attractiveness).…

A review of 17 of the most current empirical research studies on the pscyhosocial adjustment of maltreated children suggests that, compared to nonabused children, physically abused children manifest a greater number and frequency of behavior problems, have poor peer relationships and social skills, are less socially involved, have less empathy,…

Purposes of study were (1) to explore differences in quality of child-child and adult-child interactions and (2) to examine preschool children's reasoning about their own compliant behaviors. Data are discussed in support of theorists' assertions regarding difference in peer and adult interaction and literature on children's reasoning and…

An investigation of social behavior measures obtained from interviews and a wide variety of cognitive variables rarely produced significant relations. Results suggest that rather than trying to place social intelligence within a cognitive abilities taxonomy, a separate taxonomy of social intelligence should be developed. (Author/BS)

Two studies illustrating a methodology for describing similarities and distinctions between related constructs are reported. In Study 1, psychologists described behavioral and personality characteristics of preschool children through definitions of social competence and self-esteem using Q-set items. In Study 2, the relation between conceptual…

The article reviews research on bilingual special education in terms of instruction for language academic achievement (with information on such topics as increased learning time and the role of motivation) and instruction for developing social skills (the effects of poverty, cultural transition, and school failure). (CL)

Attempted to increase the occurrence of sexual-social interactions of emotionally disturbed adolescents. Results indicate that, regardless of sex, group contingencies are more effective than individual contingencies in increasing positive sexual-social interactions. Results inferred that emotionally disturbed adolescents' social interactions…

Discusses counselor, teacher, and family roles in helping lonely and shy children overcome their social isolation. Emphasis is placed on the development of new interpersonal skills and the modification of dysfunctional beliefs. (BL)

Analysis of characteristics within a taxonomy of skills shows that people's conceptions of "communicative competence" are organized in a manner most conducive to their use as the basis for competence evaluation. (PD)