The effects of multiple-exemplar self-instructional training on acquiring and generalizing conversational interaction was studied with four high school students with mental retardation. It was found that nondisabled peers were effective in teaching the multiple-exemplar strategy and that training was associated with increased generalized…

The effects on compliance of two types of differential negative reinforcement (DNR) were studied with a five-year-old girl with moderate mental retardation and a history of severe disruption. Escape from instructional trials was either contingent on a communicative behavior or compliance. Behaviors improved with both interventions, but compliance…

Summarizes research related to predictors of alcohol abuse among college students and research concerning the impact of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on children's social skills. Implications for camps include thoroughly checking references and background information of college students applying for jobs, and helping campers with…

Considers two determinants--one cognitive and the other motivational--of perceptual fluctuations of in-group variation. Results indicate that when motivation to protect social or personal identity from threat is absent, priming the in-group social category promotes a homogeneous and cohesive view of the in-group. (RJM)

The social status of fifth and sixth graders was determined using the peer nomination method and ratings by teachers. Out of 143 students, 16 were classified as popular, 17 as rejected, and 62 as average. A combination of social behavior and demographic variables accurately classified social status. (SLD)

Considers factors that may be involved in changes in the socialization process at puberty, and examines some central findings from the literature on pubertal changes from a socialization perspective. Pubertal maturation is expected to be accompanied with socialization problems in terms of unclear and different expectations to the developing…

Preschool children's security of attachment was assessed in the laboratory, and their interactions with peers were observed in the preschool. Insecure boys showed more aggressive, disruptive, assertive, and controlling behavior than secure children. Insecure girls showed more dependent and compliant behavior, and less assertive and controlling…

This article introduces three papers about research projects of the Early Childhood Research Institute of the University of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania). The papers address peer-mediated strategies to promote communicative interaction, social behavior in preschoolers with special needs, and the importance of parents as intervention agents. (JDD)

This study evaluated effects of a multifaceted training procedure on acquisition and generalization of social behaviors of 9 language-disabled deaf children (ages 8-9). The intervention involved child training as well as supervision, feedback, and goal setting by teachers and staff. Results indicated increases in appropriate target behaviors which…

Measured the food intake and observed the playground behaviors of Kenyan school-age children. Well-nourished children were more active and happier, showed more leadership behavior, and were less anxious on the school playground than poorly nourished children. Amount of time spent in school was related to decreases in children's solitariness. (BC)

Reports two studies of adolescent perceptions of playful and aggressive fighting. Results suggest that some bouts of playful fighting are used during adolescence to settle disputes about dominance and that aggression may be introduced into playful fighting to settle dominance disputes. (LB)

In a study of 112 children of 6-11 years of age and their parents, authoritative/democratic and authoritarian/restrictive factors in parent behavior predicted the child's prosocial behavior and sociometric status. Results support the idea that popular and rejected children have different family experiences. (BG)

Study examined how generalized patterns of social network ties influenced personal choices for leisure behavior. Researchers interviewed 44 people in a small Washington town regarding their participation in 25 outdoor recreation activities, weekly leisure pursuits, and interpersonal relationships. Results suggest network relationships facilitate…

Literature on rape on college campuses is reviewed, beginning with definitions of rape and controversy over date or rape, analysis of the risk of rape on campus, and the actions college administrators can take to reduce the risk of sexual assault. Prevention, legal issues, and campus security safeguards are discussed. (MSE)

This study of two primary-grade students with learning disabilities and behavior problems found that an instructional package incorporating videotaped self-assessment, self-modeling, discrimination training, and behavioral rehearsal helped the children acquire cooperative classroom behaviors and generalize and maintain those behaviors. (Author/JDD)