Willingness to return to the same librarian avoids the limitations associated with using accuracy as a primary measure of success. Based on a case study, factors associated with the successful reference interaction are examined. Problems with accuracy as a success measure, staff activity upon approach, interpersonal skills, and ability to…

Female clients (n=76) at 4 university and community agencies completed surveys containing questionnaires concerning parental bonding, self-efficacy, adult attachment, and working alliance. Results indicated that parental bonds, especially with fathers, were significantly associated with social competencies, although working alliance was negatively…

Concerned with increasing numbers of student fights, a Maryland middle school initiated a peer-mediation program to help students deal effectively with conflict. Peer mediators received training emphasizing confidentiality, rephrasing, and cooperation. After one year, the number of suspensions and student arguments decreased, school climate…

Eight children with severe disabilities and eight nonhandicapped peers were observed in their regular elementary school classrooms. Results indicated that children's social acceptance and opportunity for interaction were not uniquely associated with their status as individuals with severe disabilities, and suggest that implicit standards and…

Assessed 19 students in academic training program in marital and family therapy for changes in their relationship and intervention skills. Found positive improvements on some measures. Trainee characteristics (clinical experience, gender, age, marital status, scores on standardized admissions tests) were unrelated to changes in intervention…

Presents study results regarding the social cognitive abilities of deaf adolescents. Explains that role taking ability and nonverbal sensitivity was evaluated in a series of tests. Reports low performance in social cognitive abilities. Suggests that language plays a role in social adjustment. Concludes that nonverbal sensitivity is an important…

The study compared the classroom and playground behaviors of 95 Australian elementary students with mild disabilities and 95 matched students without disabilities. Although many similarities in behavior patterns were observed, children with disabilities interacted and played less with their peers, engaged in more solitary play, and initiated more…

Followup of nine adults with mild to moderate mental retardation eight years after training of general/social, social/vocational, and social/sexual skills found that five subjects' correct responding was maintained above pretraining levels, and three subjects responded above their posttest levels supporting the long-term maintenance of the trained…

Presents a lesson plan for teaching students basic conflict resolution techniques. Calls upon students to identify issues that can lead to interpersonal confrontation, use active listening techniques, and analyze and select alternatives to conflict. Includes handouts, discussion topics, and an explanation of methods of conflict resolution. (SG)

Records for 463 students with behavior disorders were analyzed for behavioral, social/emotional, academic, and other deficits and educational objectives. Calculation of congruence between diagnostic information and the individualized education programs indicated a moderate lack of agreement, especially with respect to social/emotional areas.…

Describes results of an analysis of children's knowledge and use of social representations of gender. Reports that researchers observed four first-year primary school classes in England. Concludes that boys and girls possess similar knowledge of the relationship between gender marking of social category membership and material culture. (SG)

Gifted learning-disabled and average learning-disabled middle school boys (n=42) in grades 6-9 were compared on ways they cope with difficult school situations. Although no group differences were found on the Coping Resources Inventory, significant differences were found in the actual strategies the groups reported using, with gifted students…

This paper presents a conceptual framework, based on training in self-regulation, for the normalization of sexual behavior in individuals with developmental disabilities. Four features of such an approach include acquiring appropriate sexual behaviors, generalizing skills, discriminating appropriate contexts, and evaluating one's actions. (DB)

Supervisors and coworkers of 98 persons with mental retardation rated subjects' overall job performance and social interaction and their performance in specific social situations. Results suggest that both task-related and non-task-related social skills make unique and relatively equal contributions to supervisors' and coworkers' perceptions of a…

Notes that in early childhood classrooms or outdoors, a water center can be the catalyst for building concepts, developing language, and promoting social skills. Discusses how to set up such a center and the teacher's role in facilitating learning through this medium. Includes 25 ideas for promoting discovery learning in water play. (HTH)