Studied joint decision-making strategies of small task group (N=8) over 15-month period. Found 4 problem areas contributing to lack of productivity: expertise, self-oriented needs, permissive operating procedures, and formal status differences. Results suggest important differences between group participants' desire to use participatory strategies…

Three studies examined effects of peer interaction on the problem solving of 150 children of 4-11 years. Age, task complexity, and task familiarity were found to qualify effects of peer interaction on motivation and learning. (RJC)

Examined the relationship between the ability to think divergently and the knowledge of social strategies on the part of 157 fifth and sixth graders. Subjects who obtained high scores on a test designed to measure divergent thinking tended to select relatively indirect, subtle, and mature social strategies. (RJC)

Analyzes preschool class circle time from an ethnographic perspective. Findings suggest that rules, guidelines, expectations, and roles in the event change over time. (RJC)

Studied play development in 35 Down syndrome and 41 nonhandicapped young children during the transition from sensorimotor to representational functioning. During the transition, children with Down syndrome developed in a manner similar to that of nonhandicapped children, but at a slower pace. (RJC)

Investigates the decision-reaching behavior of 120 children aged 7, 9, and 11 years in mixed-age groups. Children of nine years in groups with younger peers exhibited more organization statements, solicitations of preference, group choice suggestions, and reading, and less following, than did nine-year-olds grouped with older peers. (RJC)

Examines the effects of participant and observer perspectives on the quantity and quality of information recalled from conversations. Finds that conversational memory may be linked to the social cognitive bias, which has long been associated with the observer perspective. (MS)

Examined social problem solving and emotion expression in children with low, moderate, and severe behavior problems. Eighty-nine four- and five-year-olds were confronted with dilemmas of interpersonal conflict and distress. Girls expressed more themes of social construction, cohesion, and accommodation but also more anger than boys, whereas boys…

Observed preschool children's social interactions with teachers and peers in the context of moral and prudential events. Four types of moral transgressions were observed--physical harm, psychological harm, property loss, and property damage--with the majority of transgressions pertaining to physical harm and property loss. Found gender differences…

The value of teaching and modeling respect in the classroom is addressed for both general and special education. Six scenarios are covered, including modeling respect for another adult entering the classroom, modeling respect for a student's concerns, modeling respect in giving attention to a speaker, and others. (SW)

Responds to critical analyses of an earlier article by the author, who had argued that feminism created a political climate that has led to research that inaccurately minimizes psychological gender differences. The article summarizes and explains the author's agreement and disagreement on several points raised in the critical analyses. The notion…

Most nursing research is based on empiricism or logical positivism; the social behaviorist approach of the Health Belief Model does little to promote awareness or examine power issues. A critical feminist perspective aids understanding of health practices based on contextual knowledge and a holistic approach. (JOW)

Examined multiple measures of 82 young children's emotionality, regulation, and social functioning over a 2-year period, finding that social functioning was predicted by low negative emotionality and high levels of regulation. Also found that vagal tone was positively related to competent social functioning and emotionality/regulation for boys,…

Toddler triads were observed on consecutive days, with ample and scarce toy resources. Two-year-olds were more likely to resolve conflicts by sharing when toys were scarce rather than ample. Triads with older children or two boys were more likely than other triads to resolve disputes in prosocial ways. (BC)

Reanalyzes data which suggests there may be gender differences in the relationship between academic performance and interaction with peers among college students. Shows that there are no such gender differences. Reports also a study assessing gender differences in relationships between academic performance and loneliness, communication skills, and…