This study compares the performances of college elementary statistics students in a traditional personalized system of instruction (PSI) course to those participating in a modified PSI, which included the use of a student "buddy system" to increase motivation. No significant differences were found in the performance of the two groups.…

Found that social control indicators (attachment to conventional institutions, commitment to conventional goals, involvement in conventional activities, and belief in conventional norms) predicted adolescent alcohol and drug use. However, peer relationships with drug users was the most significant predictor of drug involvement. (Author/MJL)

A follow-up study revealed that, unless public school students are in a health education program that is part of a spiral curriculum that builds upon antismoking concepts learned earlier, students are likely to regress in attitudes towards and knowledge of the dangers of smoking. (Author/JN)

Outlining a conceptual scheme specifying how peer influences mediate the effects of organizational characteristics of schools on student outcomes, with social psychological theories of interpersonal attraction and influence as the basis for the outline, is the aim of this paper. Selection of peers and influence of peers is outlined. (CE)

The development of the Health Belief Model has been useful in the design of health education programs. The Model establishes a base of information from which actual smoking practices and beliefs can be compared. (JN)

In a simulated emergency situation, 38 introverted and 38 extroverted sixth-grade children were tested in the presence or absence of same-sex confederate peer. In the presence of a peer, more extroverts actively helped than introverts, with no difference occurring for children tested alone. Introverts and extroverts preferred passive and active…

Suggests that the mass media serve as socializing agents by providing direct linkage to media and contents which are essential for the development of political values, and by contributing to the structuring of social contexts in which adolescents may exercise such value orientations and reinforce ties with primary socializing agents. (JMF)

In this review, little support is found for Piaget's claim that with increasing peer group interaction adult authority becomes less legitimate to the child. It is suggested that the adult exerts increasing influence with age on children's moral judgment and, therefore, emphasis on peer-centered moral education may be misdirected. (Author/SJL)

The influence of peer models' food selections and eating behaviors on preschoolers' food preferences was investigated. Thirty-nine preschool children's preferences for vegetables were assessed. (Author/MP)

Suggests that (1) parents and peers influence adolescents through the expression of normative standards or the modeling of behaviors; (2) adolescents respond to such pressure directly or by internalizing norms or preferences for conduct; and (3) pressures, norms, and preferences have different effects on adolescent behavior, depending on the topic…

Factors influencing a teenager's decision to smoke or not to smoke are discussed. Differences between smoking and nonsmoking students and their parents' attitudes about smoking are examined. (JD)

Negative reinforcement drinkers scored significantly and consistently higher on all alcohol consumption indices, and data from an alcoholic sample showed that 93 percent of the alcoholics would be classified as escape drinkers. (Author)

Diabetes and sickle cell anemia (SCA) are two health-related characteristics that distinguish young people from their peers. This article outlines the problems of children with diabetes and SCA and presents the goals and format for group counseling of these populations and their parents. (Author/BEF)

Because learning disabled (LD) children are often the targets of negative behavior and social rejection by peers, the article reviews the literature on the social interactions typical of LD children and on peer-mediated strategies for enhancing LD children's social standing and examines the critical role of the classroom teacher in altering the…