This study revealed (1) a negative relationship between behavior norms and performance for fourth and sixth graders, (2) negative personal assurance/performance relationships with fourth graders, (3) positive performance/acceptance relationships for fourth graders, and (4) no significant relationship between self-perceptions, peer acceptance, and…

A brief historical account of the initiation and development of the Group Dynamics Laboratory Class at Indiana State University is presented, with the intent of helping other teachers evaluate their own laboratory offerings, or aiding the reader in initiating a similar course in his or her own institution. (MB)

As part of a commitment to quality, child care workers acknowledge the need to deliver an anti-bias curriculum; gender is one area of concern. This paper examines some of the research about development of gender segregation behaviors in young children, particularly during conflict resolution, and suggests appropriate strategies for addressing…

Describes a project-based situation in mathematics with 12- and 13-year-old students in 2 schools in Edinburgh, Scotland. The main theme of the project, its results, and afterthoughts are presented to illustrate differences in the behavior and attitudes between students in the last year of primary school and those in the first year of secondary…

Uses national longitudinal data to explain the intergenerational transmission of divorce. Findings suggest that parental divorce elevates the risk of offspring divorce by increasing the likelihood that offspring exhibit behaviors that interfere with the maintenance of mutually rewarding intimate relationships. Offers four hypotheses for future…

Presents a bibliography of 59 books, journal articles, and web sites for further reading on preventing and responding to children's challenging behaviors. (SD)

A study of 571 Australian children (ages 4-18) with mental retardation investigated potential behavioral risk factors for injury. Results found the prevalence of potential injury risk behaviors to be higher than for typical children and that the behavioral injury risk patterns reflected those seen in younger aged typical children. (Author/CR)

Focuses on the use of the Child Development Project (California) with young children as a means of promoting prosocial behavior. Discusses the selection of cooperative tasks relative to developmental considerations and the role of the teacher in selecting activities. Points out some activities which have been successfully used with early…

Describes the use of four-person task assessments which were designed as a means of examining children's social interaction outside the classroom setting. Provides information concerning tasks and information obtained. Concludes that these tasks can be repeated over a period of years in order to evaluate the growth and maturity of subjects. (KO)

The escalation of commitment has been variously labeled the psychology of entrapment, the sunk cost effect, and the too-much-invested-to-quit syndrome. This article reviews the state of research and describes four major determinants: project; psychological; social; and organizational variables. A model is provided. (YP)

Provides a brief history of the empiricism-nativism issue, considering present-day intellectual roots of nativist and empiricist inclinations. A schema is proposed for explaining the ontogenetic origin of an innate attribute or principle relevant to language. An attempt is made to explain the origin of primitives as derived by learning. (Contains…

Presents an overview of the topics of planning and control to provide a context for the articles in this issue of the journal. Considers development across the life span, subgroup variations, and correlates. Also explores potential linkages between planning and control. (MM)

Analyses of 80 families identified family interactions relevant to adolescent ego development. Relations between family style and each family member's ego development were examined, as were family sequences and their links with adolescent ego development. Mutual enabling interactions between mothers and adolescents were significantly enhanced by…

Examines adolescents' responses to a survey on smoking, smoking behavior, and psychological well being, along with information on household composition, income and parental education. Outcomes suggest that some of the key explanatory factors in take-up are temporary, psychological states. Argues that adolescent smoking is in large measure an…

Discusses the role of a study of atypical patterns of attachment behavior for the understanding of attachment theory, parenting, and child socioemotional development. Notes that research on atypical attachments suggest that the developmental integration of biological, psychological, and behavioral responses is more profoundly dependent on social-…