The possibility that the so-called physical attractiveness stereotype may contain a "kernel of truth" was investigated in a study where college students interacted with opposite sex partners whom they could not see. (Editor)

Student teachers were video-taped in teaching situations and their behavior was coded to determine the relative cognitive or affective emphasis of their teaching. The experimental group (N=9) exhibited significantly more affective behavior after exposure to two of the three interpersonal skills. (Author)

Examined the hypothesis that family and friendship measures would moderate each other's associations with measures of children's perceptions of their adjustment and well-being. Subjects were 138 early adolescents and their parents. Stronger associations were observed between the family measures and the adjustment measures in children without a…

Discusses how cooperative learning can teach gifted elementary students about being part of a cohesive team that works toward a common goal. Describes how to set up cooperative learning groups and sample cooperative learning activities, such as "crossing the river," cooperative maps, and body systems posters. (CR)

Presents strategies to help parents, teachers, and counselors support the social and emotional needs of gifted children. Strategies include fostering communication between the school and parents, understanding the child's personality and social goals, making counseling for gifted students available, and providing opportunities for gifted children…

Explores psychosocial stressors associated with adolescent pregnancy and drug abuse among 104 mothers between 13 and 21 years of age. Results suggest that drug-abusing mothers were depressed, whereas the nondrug-abusing mothers were not depressed. Drug-abusing mothers reported more mental and physical health problems, more problematic…

Discusses the importance of teaching communication skills to individuals with severe disabilities and reviews the development and evaluation of Developing Communicative Interactions, a data-based staff training program that supports the development of a prescribed set of interaction skills by interacting communication partners. (Author/CR)

Open meetings are regularly scheduled times when all class members and the teacher sit together in a closed circle to discuss important topics, such as name-calling. Such meetings are structured, moving from reviewing ground rules to posing a warmup question, encouraging numerous perspectives, personalizing the topic, and challenging students to…

Identifies developmental, social skill, and problem behavior subdomains that best predict academic achievement and grade promotion or retention in the early school years. Tests of 184 students at the end of kindergarten and then one year later indicate that social skills assessment should be included in kindergarten screening packages. (RJM)

Explores the social ecology of classroom aggression, demystifying four common "response dispositions" (exquisite sensitivity, group offense patrol, slight trigger disease, and heavy into violence) that provide fertile ground for uncivil behavior. To create a climate of classroom civility, teachers should engage in self-analysis, imagine…

A study examined the social cognition of 20 Dutch children (ages 8-18) with autism, 20 with pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, 20 with psychiatric disorders, and 20 typical children. Theory of mind and emotion recognition functioning proved to be correlated and less integrated in children with autistic spectrum disorders.…

A Pennsylvania school received a grant to participate in GATEWAYS, a state-sponsored initiative to help local districts provide quality programs for students with moderate to severe disabilities. GATEWAYS' outstanding feature is its peer buddy program, which has significantly improved both the Buddies' and special-needs students' interpersonal…

NASSP's 1996 report "Breaking Ranks" views principals as pivotal to restructuring high schools. Freeing principals from excessive management entanglements and hiring and training knowledgeable, trustworthy, and credible individuals will help achieve restructuring goals. Credibility characterizes those who are unquestionably honest, value…

Examines relationships between ethnic background and emergent cultural competencies in friendships in the United States. Finds that Latinos emphasized relational support, Asian Americans emphasized a caring, positive exchange of ideas, African Americans emphasized respect and acceptance, and Anglo Americans emphasized recognizing the needs of the…

Principles and techniques for college fundraisers to use in preparing for a major solicitation are discussed, including information gathering, adequate and appropriate preparation for the call, content of the conversation, rehearsal of the interaction, making the appointment, handling objections, and closing the gift. (MSE)