Presents a study of social- and object-directed behaviors of preschool children in same or mixed age dyads. Subjects were three- and five-year-oldpreschool children. (BD)

Argues that biology has become the anti-discipline of the social sciences. Describes precedents from the history of biology and discusses developments within individual social science disciplines that suggest growing susceptibility to biological explanation. (Author/DB)

The author identifies four main sources of moral relativism; defines cultural and ethical relativism, and social and personal moral relativism; and presents three arguments to refute moral relativism. (AV)

The authors stress the importance of social learning theory and ecological psychology in teaching social skills to the developmentally disabled. (CL)

This paper discusses some expressive units of behavior which appear to have a widespread geographical distribution (in both morphology and significance); have a precocious ontogeny in infancy and childhood; and are used in appropriate social psychological settings even by congenitally blind, deaf-blind, and multiply handicapped youngsters.…

Indicates that relationship type did not affect the maintenance strategies that partners chose; however, the partners' relationship intent and the sex-composition of the dyad had a significant impact on the selection of directness strategies. Suggests that individuals are not necessarily more likely to select directness strategies than balance or…

A study tracked the developmental and behavioral recovery of infants and preschool children (N=12) who had suffered brain injuries. Significant developmental recovery and behavioral progress occurred during the first 3.5 to 4 months following insult. However, self-stimulatory and atypical rhythmic habit patterns increased as the children passed…

Examines the capability and motivation of 18- and 24-month-old infants to share, help, comfort, and cooperate with their older siblings; the frequency of such prosocial behavior by both siblings; and the children's response to sibling distress. The relationship between prosocial and conflict behavior was also studied. (HOD)

Examines differential preferences in use of and expectations of use of affinity-seeking strategies as a function of participant's sex. Indicates distinct differences between male and female strategies and expectations that an individual of the opposite sex would mirror their own preferences when seeking affinity. Offers two alternative…

Examined effects of methylphenidate on social behaviors of hyperactive children between ages of 6 and 11 during unstructured activities outdoors. The children received a placebo, a low dose and a moderate dose of methylphenidate. Trained observers coded the children's actions as either appropriate social, negative social, or nonsocial behavior.…

Ten mentally retarded clients in a small work activity center were effectively trained to use social amenities during work-related communications. Training consisted of prework review of the rules of social amenities, frequent reminders during work by supervisors, client repetition of the reminders, and focused practice. (Author/DB)

This special issues describes multidimensional scaling (MDS), with emphasis on proximity and preference models. An introduction and six papers review statistical developments in MDS study design and scrutinize MDS research in four areas of application (consumer, social, cognitive, and vocational psychology). (SLD)

Points out that a key to discipline is the developing of a fun-filled friendship between adults and children in the child care environment. Suggests that "me vs. you" situations can be avoided by distracting the child with something interesting and fun, such as directions given in the form of a jingle or song. (RWB)

The Health Education and Learning for The Handicapped (HEALTH) program provides sex education to developmentally handicapped persons through group discussion, role-playing, films, and other visual aids. The one-hour group sessions, given over 12-14 weeks with 6-12 participants, discuss body parts, acceptable social behavior, assertiveness, birth…

Examines the relation between maternal social networks and mother-infant interactions in 34 mother-preterm and 20 mother-full term dyads with infants aged six months. Results demonstrate that, although full-term infant birth is typically positive, it is less clear that preterm birth is positive, with the result that network members are unsure of…