Forms and functions of social comparison verbalizations were studied among preschoolers in a naturalistic setting. Each social comparison statement was coded into content (ability, possession, status, attitude, activity) and function (diffentiation/similarity, cognitive clarity, evaluative, competitive) categories. Results indicated preschoolers…

The effects of peer familiarity on social interactions were studied by observing pairs of preschool children who were either familiar or unfamiliar with each other in 50-minute free-play sessions. (CM)

Interaction between mother and first-born child before and after the birth of a second child was studied in 41 families, using home observations and interview techniques. (MP)

The role of self-observation in the self-awareness of gifted and talented children is explored. Special adjustment problems of gifted children are covered. (CL)

Describes various ground/space techniques and instruments used in space studies. Also describes space phenomena observed, for example, pulsars and galaxies. (SK)

Considered two unexplored issues concerning use of parental ratings to measure young children's temperament: (1) the validity of such measures, and (2) parents' projection of their own personality in rating their children. (Author/DB)

Researchers observed activities of preschool children engaged in various forms of play, and focused particularly on symbolic play. (Author/DB)

The paper describes some observational procedures that can be employed by the special teacher or learning assistant to determine the levels of either appropriate social behavior or deviant responding in the classroom. (Author/SBH)

The functioning of a new instrument for measuring behaviors in physical education classes is explained. (JD)

Evaluation of students' dance performance provides feedback for developing skills and self-awareness. (JD)

Presents a computer program developed at the University of Cincinnati to transpose and compute sets of raw data from the Flanders' Interaction Analysis, used in investigating classroom teaching behavior. The program is included and its use with student teachers is discussed. (RAO)

Meaningful smoking reduction was maintained at follow-up, suggesting the relative efficacy of experiencing one of three maintenance strategies employed. Superior maintenance of smoking reduction was demonstrated by the self-monitoring group relative to the modeling and participant observing groups of the original sample. (Author/BEF)

Investigates infant preferences for interaction with mother v father, similarities and differences in maternal and paternal behavior, and the influence of a second parent's presence on parent-infant interaction. Families with infants 15 months of age were observed in their own homes. (Author/SS)

Describes a residential treatment program for emotionally disturbed children which used a computerized method for cross-confirming information about the functioning of children. (CM)

Observations of superintendents indicate that, within the plethora of tasks and activities, the hectic variety of demands and contacts of their jobs, the superintendents cope with rather than organize their time schedules. Still, the superintendents seem to attend to the most vital activities. (Author/IRT)