Examines the effect of having a sibling or a dating partner on adolescents' relationships with others, focusing on the social rules used in relationships with peers, siblings, and parents. Data support a model of relationship management using siblings as stepping-stones of egalitarian peer features to the world of friends and authoritative parent…

Examined significance of close, cross-sex friendships to socioemotional functioning of tenth through twelfth graders. Found that having close, cross-sex friend was common and increased with age. Adolescents reported more companionship in same- versus cross-sex friendships. There were sex and age differences in support from cross- versus same-sex…

Examines a seven-year study at the University of Ottawa (Canada) which studied the impact of instructional consultation on college teaching. The study found faculty who sought individual consultation services (n=99) were representative of the faculty at large and that consultation services resulted in significantly improved student ratings,…

Assessed similarities between 192 target children and their friends and nonfriends. Found that children and friends were more similar to one another than nonfriends across the dataset. Friendship similarities were greater in antisocial behavior than in other domains. Similarities between friends in sociometric status and size of the friendship…

Looks at bullying as a group phenomenon largely enabled by members of a school class taking on different participant roles (such as assistant of the bully, reinforcers of the bully, and outsiders). Suggests that peer group power should be utilized in putting an end to bullying. Recommends that counselors should also include working with students…

Suggests that while health problems experienced by young people are largely the result of psychological and behavioral factors, peer-led initiatives can have a positive effect on several factors that influence their health. Reviews strengths of peer support, including effects on self-esteem, self-efficacy, and locus of control. Discusses practical…

Describes a study exploring the social dynamics within a typical preschool classroom that included a 3-year-old with severe visual impairments. Notes findings that this child was an active participant in shared social experiences with his peers, which contributed to his membership and acceptance. Discusses adult mediation and interpretation of the…

Uses data from an ethnographic exploration into children's gender and sexual identities during sixth grade to examine how dominant notions of heterosexuality underscore much of children's identity work and peer relationships, illustrating how boys and girls are subject to pressures of compulsory heterosexuality. Discusses the implications of…

Reports on a study of student-student interaction via computer-mediated communication (CMC) in an undergraduate course at a British university. Analysis focused on: (1) interaction patterns within groups; (2) the influence of the tutor's "virtual absence," and (3) students' and tutors' evaluation of the experience. Most students valued…

Studied 8- and 11-year-olds as evaluators of peer group entry and limited resources. Found older children evaluated peers more positively than did younger for limited resources conflicts. Found all children evaluated the focal peer's intentions during group entry more negatively than intentions during limited resources and evaluated peer responses…

Explores how African American and white college students and faculty can develop strong identities and healthy interpersonal relationships. Encourages faculty to engage students in dialogue about multicultural issues and adapt teaching practices to create a culturally responsive learning environment for students and faculty. (Author/DB)

Recounts experiences during a study tour of three preschools in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Describes the environment, activities, and children's interactions at the Allende Infant-Toddler Center and the Neruda and the Diana Schools for 3- to 6-year-olds. Focuses on teachers' observational and pedagogical methods. Concludes that quality education…

Explores whether past experiences in mainstreamed classes exert a positive influence on present attitudes of typical secondary students and whether their attitudes differ according to their ages, the specific disabilities encountered, or activities involving disabled peers. Presents the findings and conclusions in detail. (CMK)

This article describes an Irish program linking mainstream pupils (n=30) and their counterparts with severe and profound learning difficulties (n=16) and assesses the social and educational benefits for all involved. The program had a positive impact on the emotional reactions of young people toward interacting with their peers with learning…

Discourse analysis of audiotapes of simulated telephone hotline conversations of adolescent dyads consisting of either one, two, or no adolescents with learning disabilities (LD) found that adolescents with and without LD were equally skilled at requesting advice, but adolescents with LD had significantly greater difficulty generating solutions to…