Investigated 60 parents' perceptions of influence of their eldest child's (aged 4, 7, or 10 years) development and the extent to which these perceptions varied as a function of five factors. Cognitive and social development were significant variables for beliefs about influence. (RJC)

The article argues that students with severe intellectual disabilities should attend their local "home school" where they should have an individualized educational program in both regular and special settings, with the necessary resources applied to develop, maintain, and enhance social relationships with nondisabled peers. (Author/DB)

Examines the relationship between the rated sex, aggression, and sexism values of cartoons and their perceived funniness. Results, interpreted by Zillmann's social predisposition theory, indicated response differentiation by sex. (MW)

Assessed the extent to which preferential personal attraction was associated with behavioral similarity among newly acquainted children. Found that "discriminating" children were more behaviorally similar to preferred playmates than nonpreferred playmates, both in terms of cognitive play style and social participation. (AA)

Examined the hypothesis that young children's social behavior in stable groups of peers becomes relationship specific to some extent with increasing group socialization and predicts important developmental outcomes beyond these relationships, such as social self-esteem in middle childhood when children attend different peer groups. The hypothesis…

University researchers developed a survey to assess resources, curriculum development, and inservice needs related to social education in Victoria. Responses from 37 primary schools (21% response rate), indicate significant gaps between policy and practice in many schools, huge differences in confidence concerning curriculum areas, and a strong…

Explores the thoughts and feelings of a group of young adolescent girls on dilemmas of identity, self, and society through reading and discussing "The Diary of Anne Frank." Discusses adolescent females in literature and life, the double standard revisited, the dilemma of being right or being nice, and the challenge of including girls'…

Examination of 53 children with autism supported the validity of the subtypes "aloof" and "active-but-odd" as predictors of behavior across language/communication, reciprocal social interaction, and stereotyped behavior/restricted interest domains. Partial support for an intermediate, "passive" subtype was garnered. (Author/JDD)

Compared parental perceptions of the use of internal information sources--intuitions, religious beliefs, personal childhood experiences--to use of external sources for information about their toddlers' development. Found that parents perceived the internal sources as being used more frequently and as more useful for information on their child's…

Problems faced by deaf students developing social skills are discussed, and suggestions are provided for what teachers can do to specifically cultivate these skills. Teacher modeling, cooperative learning, and the integration of social skills lessons into other class lessons and activities are recommended, with sample activities and references to…

Using a series of reversal designs, interventions to improve the active engagement and peer social skills of five preschool boys with autism were investigated. In contrast to intervention for engagement, peer social skill intervention resulted in "free effects" for all participants, including increased engagement with peers and exposure…

Includes the following articles on block play: "Block Building: Opportunities for Learning" (Cuffaro); "Block Play: Experiences in Cooperative Learning and Living" (Cartwright); "Block Play is for ALL Children" (Stritzel); "Enriching the Possibilities of Block Play" (Reifel); and "On the Floor with…

Study of same-sex play networks found that between ages four and six, the size of girls' play networks decreases along with the number of girls excluded. Although results did not confirm the hypothesis that the size of boys' play networks increases, there was a trend for boys in the older classes to exclude fewer playmates from their networks. (AA)

Reviews seven books: (1) "Cross-Cultural Psychology" (Berry and others); (2) "Biological Asymmetry and Handedness" (Bock and Marsh); (3) "Interpersonal and Identity Development" (Vandenplas-Holper and Campus); (4) "Natural Theories of Mind" (Whitten); (5) "The Psychological Examination of the…

Looks at the future socioeconomic situation of countries in the absence of a means of transporting, acquiring, manipulating, and storing information and demonstrates the essential nature of information and knowledge. The International Telecommunications Union can foster the development of telecommunications infrastructures in developing countries…