The objectives of this inquiry were: (1) to clarify the construct distinction between measures of peer rejection and low peer acceptance, obtained by classroom sociometrics; and (2) to establish an index of childrens' sociometric consistency behavior at varying age levels. A sociometric device was constructed and administered to obtain ratings on…

Data is brought to bear on the social influence hypothesis, according to which the behavior of one bystander influences other bystanders by providing information leading to a definition of the situation. The study placed a subject in an emergency situation in which one of 3 confederates served as a model: (1) male peer; (2) female peer; or (3)…

Effective procedures used for initiating a student health-related peer group program in the New York City public high school system are identified, and a replicable model for forming peer groups is discussed. (MJB)

Article critically reviews the research literature on peer modeling among children as a function of model attributes. Conditions under which perceived similarity causes behavioral change are discussed. (RB)

The differences between help offerer by members of mutual help groups and help offered by trained professionals are clarified. The perils for professionals who emulate the methods of mutual help associations are discussed. (Author)

Six outstanding nutrition education programs were identified by the American Vocational Association and are described here. They involve computerized nutrition analysis, nutrition teacher visiting elementary classes, peer education, teaching/learning experience between vocational students and kindergarten students, using science to teach…

Assessed contributions of familiarity, prior experience, and age to frequency and degree of social participation of preschoolers. Normative analysis of group differences indicated that sex, age, prior peer-group experience, and familiarity did not interact and that all of them independently affected 3- and 4-year-old preschoolers' social play.…

Differences among female tutors (n=80), aged 9 to 11, were examined in two ways: (1) using contrasts between same-age and mixed-age tutors; and (2) with separate contrasts, for the 11-year-old tutors, according to the ages of their tutees. (PN)

Considers learning styles that were effective for students. (Author/RK)

Three learning disabled students acting as tutors for their peers were able to modify school-related problems (problems of capital letter recognition and the beginning and completion of assignments) of the tutorees using behavior modification techniques. (KW)

Results of the study have been interpreted to imply that peer influence may be a strong factor in judgmental modification; stronger perhaps than dogmatism. (Author/EB)

Argues that peer group academic orientation is a reaction to the expectations and constraints of a specific educational structure. Analyzes the impact of one structure, tracking, on the peer group and explains the emergences of contrasting high and low track patterns. (Author/MK)

The implementation of peer counseling programs can increase the overall effectiveness of counseling services, but no single program is right for all settings. Each staff needs to consider the particular setting. Careful consideration of the elements discussed in this article should benefit trainees and students. (Author)

Techniques for achieving control of and producing results from task-oriented meetings with peers are discussed, including acquiring a perceived mandate, structuring attendance, and developing a working, narrative agenda. A productivity matrix correlates meeting activities with appropriate group leadership behaviors. (SK)

Assesses the ability of four-year-old children to judge certain social situations from the facial expressions of peers. The children were presented with soundless videotapes of the face and upper torso of classmates and unknown peers interacting with peers and adults who were strange or familiar. (JMB)