Examines conditions for improving children's predictions about their own academic performance. First-grade children were paired and assigned to one of four groups created by varying whether the pair was asked to collaborate on a performance prediction and was rewarded for the accuracy of that prediction. Neither of the two treatments, nor…

Reports on a study of views of friendship among 20 5- and 6-year-old British students. Finds that boys and girls were able to interpret friendships as transactions. Also finds differences between boys and girls on their understanding of "bad friends." (CFR)

Argues that an evolutionary perspective can unite the study of species-typical development and individual variation. Provides examples from the domains of personality, social, and intellectual development. Maintains that understanding the ways in which genes and environments work together helps developmentalists identify children who need…

A female college faculty member describes incidents and an overall climate of sexual bias, discrimination, and harassment, both overt and covert, at one university. The problems extended from professional peers to administrators who did not respond positively to her stated concerns. (MSE)

Discusses and illustrates the ways in which early childhood teachers can teach preschoolers about peace. Teachers can implement two simple rules: "Don't hurt anyone," and "Use words to settle problems." Explains how these rules would be implemented in particular preschool situations. (BB)

Outlines attachment theory, focusing on ideas regarding children's attachment to persons other than primary caregivers. Utilizes attachment theory in drawing implications for classroom operation, day care center organization, and governmental policies. The attachment paradigm is seen as providing a theoretical basis for improving day care…

Two studies involving 125 sixth graders and 28 fifth through seventh graders examined negative social reactions from the perspective of rejecting peers. The more children perceived atypical students to be responsible for idiosyncracies, the more anger and less sympathy they reported. Implications for improving social acceptance are discussed. (SLD)

Analysis of the status, workload, and economics of Canada's large part-time university faculty workforce suggests that the academic labor force is hierarchically divided between full- and part-time faculty with radically different work processes and institutional treatment. Part-time teachers compensate for fiscal deficits and have degraded and…

Two studies examined the ability of a peer play scale, based on the Howes Peer Play Scale, to assess developmental sequences in children's play with peers from the infant through the preschool periods. The frequency and proportion of play forms, and the ages at which they emerged, varied as a function of the children's child care setting. (LB)

Examines how African-American alternative masculine behaviors are expressed within same-sex peer groups and friendships. It is proposed that African-American males have adopted an alternative style of masculinity to cope with social and interpersonal pressures, even though it can sometimes be dysfunctional and associated with negative…

This study of interactions between three severely withdrawn, autistic preschool children and six nonhandicapped peers found that peers can be effectively taught strategies to increase appropriate social behaviors of autistic classmates, and a group-oriented reinforcement contingency is an effective complement to teacher-prompted interventions and…

Results of a story-completion study with 47 white middle class preschoolers (23 males and 24 females) confirm the hypotheses that gender-stereotyped styles of social interaction are apparent as early as the preschool years, and use of gender-stereotypes behaviors is associated with the child's perceived competence and social support. (SLD)

A survey of 38 graduating dental students assessed the types and sources of perceived mistreatment. Students perceived an average of 35 separate incidents. Psychological mistreatment was most common; physical mistreatment was relatively infrequent. Classmates and clinical faculty were the most common sources. Sexual harassment was perceived by…

Substance use and possible factors affecting substance use were assessed for adolescents at 12, 15, and 18 years of age. At ages 15 and 18, higher levels of use were predicted by higher levels of previous use, greater ease of making friends, higher substance use among siblings, and decreases in perceived parental warmth. (BC)

The coordinator of a summer residential enrichment program for gifted Indian students reports their thoughts on Indian identity and peer and family pressures to suppress their abilities. Students outlined educational problems and solutions related to racial prejudice, high Indian dropout rates, few Indians in higher education, and high…