Provides an historical overview of the role of the librarian in the university; discusses the academic librarian as information professional; and presents a case study of an academic library. Examines the study findings and implications, and discusses the skills (human relations, technical, cognitive, and behavioral) required of academic…

Observed Head Start and community samples with regard to children's initiations of negative interactions. Found that Head Start children tended to have higher scores for negative initiations and for one aggression scale, but these results were qualified. Found that aggression and negative behavior measures were positive predictors of social…

Integrated a psychosocial developmental theory (the Kubler-Ross Stage Theory) and a psychological stage theory (the Ross Stage Theory) and a psychological stage theory (the Chickering and Reisser psychosocial and developmental theory) for challenging injured collegiate student-athletes' personal development. A search of online databases from…

Notes that many children in today's classrooms exhibit a variety of emotional and social difficulties, and discusses the use of bibliotherapy, an approach that uses literature as an effective way to remediate such difficulties. Explains emotional intelligence and how bibliotherapy can promote development of the socioemotional competence necessary…

A study examined the effects of participation in a low-element challenge course on younger adolescents' perceptions of group cohesion. Pre- and post-tests of group cohesion were administered to 167 North Carolina adolescents aged 11-14. Participants perceived an increase in group cohesion after the daylong program, regardless of their age, race,…

A study examined the basis of "theory of mind" (ToM) reasoning in 20 native signers (ages 4-8) of British Sign Language. Children and their siblings were given a measure of the quality of sibling relations. Sibling quality as perceived by siblings predicted children's ToM score over age and referential communication. (Contains…

A 32-item inventory designed to provide data concerning extent to which training in interpersonal and counseling skills was applied by educators in professional and personal lives was given to 82 experienced educators, who were tested 3 times. Item analysis was completed after the testings. Revealed high level of internal coherence, and testing…

Used interviews and questionnaires to assess preschool teachers' beliefs about the importance of young children's social competence. Found that teachers valued peer competence in early childhood, but academic goals were more frequently valued than social goals. Teachers felt peer competencies were influenced more by the child's inherent nature…

This paper examines current literature about social competencies and individuals with developmental disabilities, explaining the role of leisure in enhancing social competencies through the lifespan. After defining perceived social competence, the paper looks at how recreation and leisure can increase communication and social skills for this…

This study investigated the effects of using general education peers to instruct four students (age 8) with mental retardation in board game skills. Results found that the peer-mediated intervention produced an increase in interactions between students with and without mental retardation and that these increases generalized across social…

A study of 4 children with autism and 12 typical children (ages 5-8) investigated the effectiveness of a social skills program. Typical peers were provided disability information and training in behavior management strategies along with social skills training. Results showed increased frequency and duration of interactions for all children.…

Discusses the role of friendships in children's development. Examines the meaning of the term friendship; the roots of friendship development; the role of parents, teachers, and siblings; and concerns about children's choices. Suggests that positive attitudes, when established early in life, can affect physical and mental health and the quality of…

Followed 8-year olds' friendship dyads through school year to determine if they remained friends, and compared their interaction in structured potential conflict with nonfriend dyads. Found that friends made more proposals than nonfriends to negotiate object sharing, spent more time negotiating, compromised more, and showed more competitive…

Research has shown that the classroom social environment is a chief psychological determinant of academic learning. A recent study showed students who gave their classrooms high ratings on cohesion, challenge, satisfaction, and absence of friction and favoritism on the Learning Environment Inventory achieved more academically, had better attitudes…

A student survey at a relatively inclusive Rhode Island elementary school revealed some environmental deficits. Many students saw the atmosphere as unsafe, uncomfortable, divisive, and unwelcoming. To facilitate community, staff began questioning before advising, and devised structures that allow students to welcome new students and to succeed on…