The concept of entrapment, viewed as a conceptual framework for social interaction skills training, is a behavioral process whereby newly acquired social responses come under the control of naturally occurring reinforcers, usually the social behavior of peers. Selection of target behaviors and intervention procedures to promote entrapment are…

Conducted study to determine sociometric group structure of sixth grade classes in four elementary schools (N=372); acceptance, rejection, and isolate interaction patterns; and psychological and social self-perceptions of sociometric isolate. Results identified six most frequently selected psychological and six most frequently selected social…

Maintains that play is a basic activity necessary for normal development of young children; it aids in the development of cognitive skills, social skills and moral rules, control of one's environment, emotional release, flexibility/creativity and physical ability and condition. Also presents teachers and parents with ideas to encourage play.…

Type and quality of nonfamilial child care were found to have no significant effect on peer social skills, sociability with strange adults, and child personality. The major determinants of personality maturity were background variables. Prior social skills and age were the best predictors of peer social skills. (PCB)

Evaluated group counseling program for residents of community release corrections facility. Results indicated that short-term counseling contributed to significant changes in participant adjustment. Found this adjustment was characterized by both a reduction in distressful symptoms and an improved perception of the correctional environment.…

The study evaluated the community social integration of six moderately retarded men residing in a group home. Results of intensive observation indicated that the men's interpersonal and social development skills were very limited and that they had very poor communication skills and limited interactions in the community. (Author/DB)

Although most business school deans accept criticisms emerging in a new report, they predicted it would take a decade or more to develop programs that have the recommended qualities of being truly interdisciplinary, emphasizing the global economy, and providing students with effective interpersonal skills. (MSE)

Interpersonal and work-related classroom behaviors of kindergarten children (as rated by teachers) were examined to identify behaviors critical for success in school. Results demonstrated a consistent and highly significant risk for maladjustment associated with subnormal ratings on work-related, as opposed to interpersonal, behaviors. (PCB)

Maintains that caring adults can intervene in many ways to help learning-disabled adolescents acquire the planning, organizational, language, and socialization skills they need to make the transition into adulthood. (BB)

Compares the parent-child interactions of rejected, neglected, and popular boys aged three, four, and five years, in a paradigm emphasizing physical play. Results indicate the importance of the regulation of affect for social competence and illustrate strong links between the parent and peer social system. (Author/RWB)

A test was conducted of a supplemental skills training and social-network-development aftercare program with 130 drug abusers from four residential therapeutic communities. The intervention produced positive effects on subjects' performance at the conclusion of treatment. Performance improved in situations involving avoidance of drug use, coping…

Classroom verbal behaviors of 33 elementary student teachers were correlated with second, third, and fourth grade pupils' evaluations of teaching performance. Results revealed that teachers who were more indirect in classroom interaction received significantly higher ratings from pupils on classroom procedures and interpersonnal skills. (JD)

Suggests the possible components of a model comprehensive vocational and career readiness program for correctional institutions. The components address areas related to (1) social skills, (2) job acquisition skills, (3) work performance skills, and (4) basic day-to-day "survival" skills. (Author/CH)

The effects of (1) opportunity to interact with classmates; (2) positive goal interdependence; (3) positive goal and reward interdependence; and (4) positive goal and reward interdependence with an added contingency for the use of collaborative skills were investigated. Results indicate that positive goal and reward interdependence are needed to…

Describes the Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Program developed to help Chapter 1 students learn better thinking skills that improve basic skills and social confidence. (MD)