A study of adolescent perceptions found that parents have more influence on their children's educational aspirations than do their children's best friends. Parental influence appears to grow stronger over time. Best friends influence girls' aspirations more than boys. (AM)

Early childhood educators have long recognized the value of early socialization experiences provided by the peer group. Early peer experiences contribute to social development in that the importance of cooperating, sharing, and competing among equals is learned for the first time. (JN)

Research on the use of peer modeling (filmed and live) and peer social initiations with withdrawn exceptional children is considered. Advantages of the social initiation approach include application with children with a limited behavioral repertoire, no requirement for adult intervention, and the opportunity to use handicapped peers as trainers.…

Examined assertive bids of elementary school children engaged in a cooperative task. Results from kindergarten and grade one participants support previous research regarding greater male assertiveness and attempts to influence other boys. By grade three, girls' overall assertiveness equaled that of boys. (Author/DB)

Offers a sampler of teaching strategies for using student collaboration during the early stages of writing. (RL)

Forms of social control used by schools to maintain order are no longer appropriate, and may be contributing to further disruption and violence. (SK)

The social integration measure (SIM) was tested on student integrity groups. Members rated each other and themselves in items describing behaviors that lead to satisfying interpersonal relationships and a secure sense of self-worth. SIM peer ratings showed satisfactory levels of generalizability. SIM did not produce any reactivity-of-testing…

Discusses challenges facing gifted girls at all levels of education, including social pressures not to appear gifted. Identifies school factors that negatively impact their education, and provides school strategies for helping gifted girls succeed, including support groups, counseling, and calling on girls in class. (CR)

Investigated students' (N=1,184) self-reported interventions in the alcohol-, tobacco-, illicit-drug use, and drinking-driving of their friends. Results indicate that almost one-third of students intervened in friends' illegal drug use and drinking-driving, whereas about one-half intervened with smoking. Intervenors were usually older and worked…

Investigates reasons for the success of cooperative learning (CL) from a psychological perspective, focusing on group dynamics and the motivational system generated by peer cooperation. Argues that the affective domain of CL plays a crucial role in the learning process. The paper summarizes the factors contributing to the promotion of learning…

Reports on research on peer helping programs and describes a peer tutoring program in three New York City high schools. Results illustrate the importance of youth participation in meaningful roles. Notes that programs in which youth help youth could do many positive things, especially in urban schools. (SLD)

Suggests that the contrasting cultural and material circumstances of children in the United States and Spain contribute to their relative capacities for critical thinking and discussion. Suggests that Spanish adolescents hesitate to take a stand without openly discussing their feelings, while North American students hate discussion that wanders…

A five-year study examined the effects of a mass media campaign to change college students' perceptions of peer norms and binge drinking. Annual survey data indicated a significant drop in numbers of students who perceived binge drinking as the norm and a corresponding reduction in binge drinking. (SM)

Findings of t-tests on results from 1,247 adolescents in South Carolina indicate that, without adjustment, whites were higher than blacks on socioeconomic status, grade point average, and attitudes favoring drug use. Blacks were higher on positive peer influence, commitment to education, self-efficacy expectations, and reported conduct disorder…

Examined the contexts related to antisocial fighting behaviors among urban, African American high school students. Data on students' social contexts (family, neighborhood, peers, and school) and fighting behaviors indicated a relationship between negative peer influence and antisocial fighting behaviors. The combination of all four negative…