The Unusual Uses subtest of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking and the Rotter Social Reaction Inventory were administered to 168 graduate students. Internals were found to have significantly higher scores on the flexibility and originality measures, while the externals had significantly higher elaboration scores. (Author)

The relationship between the ability to coordinate social perspectives and levels of anxiety induced by the social context was studied. Results showed a relative failure to coordinate perspectives in the "anxious" compared with the "neutral" condition and were discussed in terms of social contextual effects on aspects of social cognitive…

Analyses of 1965-82 panel study of early baby boomers revealed that regular worship attendance, but not religious beliefs, was associated with involvement in children's education, contact with parents, and staying married. Higher income greatly increased likelihood of divorce. Discusses "culture war" and "cultural toolkit"…

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…

Four- and five-year-old Euro-American children participated in a study of moral reasoning, vicarious emotional responding, and prosocial behavior. Found that higher levels of moral reasoning were positively related to prosocial behavior. Children high in both other-oriented moral cognitions and sympathy were most helpful toward peers. (Author/DR)

A study of 43 children (ages 2-6) who were deaf or hard of hearing examined the effects of a social skills and comparison intervention on peer social behaviors. Children receiving social skills intervention decreased frequency of solitary and parallel play and maintained these changes a year after the intervention. (Author/CR)

Traces the historical background and describes the symptomology relating to mass hysteria and psychogenic illness. After prescribing a case study of an incident of such behavior at a mid-western university, explores the implications for staff training in student areas. (Author/KW)

Examined relations of effortful control and ego control to children's resiliency, social status, and social competence concurrently (Time 3) and over time. Found that at Time 3, resiliency mediated the unique relations of effortful and reactive control to social status, and effortful control directly predicted socially appropriate behavior.…

A "priming" strategy was used to increase spontaneous social initiations of two preschool autistic boys toward typically developing peers in a regular preschool classroom. Peers were also trained to independently respond to initiations. Following training, the boys demonstrated a variety of increased, spontaneous, and salient initiation…

Examined gender differences in dominance and play among 48 preschoolers linked in girl-girl and girl-boy dyads. Findings reveal girl-girl dyads had more cooperative play, boys had higher functional play, and girls engaged in more dramatic play during feminine activities whereas boys displayed more dramatic play during masculine activities,…

Argues that apparent incompatibilities between social exchange and developmental perspectives can be resolved by using evolutionary theories to extend the logic of social exchange. Discusses the implications of an expanded evolutionary perspective on social exchange and development, proposing that developmental context and genetic relatedness may…

Examines child-rearing techniques of Jamaican adults and their assumed effects on child outcomes. Also examines the plausibility of the assumption that harsh physical punishment meted out to children is partially responsible for current social problems of that nation. Recommends approaches to tackle the broad goals of addressing familial and…

Discourses of concern about boys' schooling do not address complexities of boys' lives. Critical scholarship in masculinities highlights the effects of heteronormative privilege and offers alternative practices. A focus on the social gendered performance of boys rather than the claim that girls get too much attention may be more productive.…