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…

Reviews recent court cases in which students have been victimized by other students. Attempts to determine the application of legal principles to such situations and to develop proposals for administrators to manage their schools in a legally defensible manner. Considers the moral responsibility of administrators as protectors of children. (94…

Argues that researchers must broaden conceptual frameworks, broaden samples, and broaden methods used in the study of rejected peers in light of Merten's work (PS 524 830). Suggests that conceptual frameworks must consider the full range of characteristics that contribute to peer status, and be sensitive to contextual factors that shape peer group…

Relations between friendship and group acceptance were examined by assessing multiple dimensions of adolescents' (n=77) peer relationships at summer camp. Results indicated distinctions should be made between friendships and group acceptance and between positive and negative aspects of peer relationships. Both types of relationships are important…

Investigated how peer acceptance and friendship were related to self-esteem in adolescents. Ninth-grade students (n=542) were classified by sociometric group and presence or absence of reciprocal friendships. Results indicate no significant difference in self-esteem scores across sociometric groups. Subjects with one friend had higher self-esteem…

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)

Outlines some of the advantages in using a group approach for the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Reviews the published literature on group behavioral treatment for OCD and discusses the unique therapeutic factors associated with group treatment that provide a rationale for developing a group approach for this disorder. (RJM)

Presents a summary of the International Reading Association's 1994 award-winning dissertation, which examines the role of sociocognitive conflict in peer-led and teacher-led discussions of literature. Finds that the two have distinctly different discourse related to sociocognitive conflict, also affecting internalization of the underlying…

Investigated the types of social issues that produce conflicts; the extent to which children respond positively to protests from others; and the ways in which conflicts are resolved. Results indicated that preschoolers' conflicts were not solely negative or aggressive and that their social interaction and social contexts were multidimensional.…

Using ethnographic methods and taking a sociocultural perspective, examined preschoolers' social competence. Focused on the interactions of two children who were members of a peer group and one who sought membership in the group but was rejected. Discusses the importance of the sociocultural perspective to understanding children's social…

In the Dictagloss method, a short text is read at normal speed to a class of learners who jot down familiar words as they listen. Students then gather in small groups to review and reconstruct a version of the text and then compare their version with that of other groups. Implications for creativity and memory are discussed. (three references) (LB)

Examines the effects of sex, age, and type of school on expletive use in a sample of 160 adolescents. Fails to support stereotyped expectations of coy, nonswearing females, but supports the hypothesis that there is a relationship between social power and expletive usage. (RDS)

Research has demonstrated that small groups exert powerful emotional influence on members. Learning group effectiveness in American schools is hindered by groups' short-lived character. Article recommends that American educators stress group persistence by keeping discrete groups of students and teachers together over long time periods, reorganize…

Reviews the literature on the social integration of people with intellectual disability. Describes a support model in Italy which views self-esteem as resulting from the social integration of service users as a peer group rather than as individuals, while encouraging independence in the form of paid employment. (DB)