This study, involving 4 high school seniors with learning disabilities, found that an initial vocational social skills simulation intervention delivered at school led to generalization in 8 of 12 target behaviors (3 behaviors per student). Subsequently, in situ training at the work site produced generalization in four of six behaviors. (Author/JDD)

This study compared 13 students (grades 6 through 8) with behavior disorders who were mainstreamed part of each school day with 6 similar students not mainstreamed. Overall, the mainstreamed students had higher reading and written language scores, better work habits, and higher grades. Nonmainstreamed students demonstrated more extremes in social…

Four low-achieving fifth-grade African-American males with behavioral disorders tutored sight words to four low-achieving second-grade African-American males with behavioral disorders. The tutoring appeared to have positive effects on sight word vocabulary and positive social interactions for both tutors and tutees but not on self-perceptions of…

Icelandic teachers discussed perceived changes in their work and students' social interactions during a program to foster students' social competence. The program emphasized classroom discussion on interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution to promote social growth. Teachers believed they gained confidence in handling interpersonal…

Three studies examined preadolescents for the relation between perceived deviance and negative peer reactions. In the first study, perceived deviance was related to social rejection. In the second and third studies, children's perceptions of responsibility for deviance predicted interpersonal affect and the degree to which the deviant person was…

This study compared the problem-solving skills of 73 children (ages 6-14) with mild mental retardation, who exhibited either adjusted classroom behavior or impulsive or inhibited behavior. Irrespective of age or intelligence quotient, adjusted children had a larger number of relevant solutions to problems and a higher ratio of aggressive…

This article describes cooperative teaching involving general and special educators as an approach to serving students with special needs. The article provides an overview of the types of cooperative teaching and discusses implementation considerations, methods of problem solving, and the importance of interpersonal skills. (JDD)

Sixty-nine female college students report more depressive symptoms and more maladaptive attributional styles than 64 male college students as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory and the Expanded Attributional Style Questionnaire. A study involving 77 male and 95 female college students' responses to the Selves Questionnaire supports these…

This study investigated the differential effectiveness of assertiveness and problem-solving training on 28 dually diagnosed (mild mental retardation and mental disorders) patients' adaptive social behavior, distress and psychiatric symptoms, anger control, and problem-solving coping skills. Improvements resulted from combined assertiveness and…

Summarizes recent ERIC documents on interpersonal competence among preschool and kindergarten children. (BB)

Entry-level skills needed of optometrists, as of allied health occupations practitioners, include thinking skills, communication skills, sensitivity to personal and professional values and ethics, awareness of self and individual social responsibility, lifelong learning skills and habits, interpersonal and group competence, and management…

Social skills training with a 12-year-old mainstreamed trainable mentally handicapped student resulted in improved eye contact, greeting of peers, and use of appropriate voice level. Perceptions of peers changed, but their interaction with the student did not change. (Author/DB)

Relations among self-reported social skills, teacher ratings of classroom behavior, and direct observations of social interactions among 87 adolescents with mild mental retardation were investigated. Results demonstrated that (1) four domains of social skills were related to students' task orientation; and (2) the three sources of information…

A method for increasing interaction between students and older adults in a geriatric pharmacy course uses an instructional module on stereotypes, age and personality, role changes, and nursing home living. The course requires students to conduct a life review of someone over age 65. The exercise improves student communication skills and…

A variety of strategies are suggested as useful to female faculty members in developing their careers and coping with nonoptimal working conditions. Issues addressed include getting information, networking and mentoring, negotiating, handling discrimination, personal presentation, sexual harassment and other sexual issues, interviews, working…