Testing with a battery of naturalistic stories found that the 24 subjects with autism were impaired (compared to normal and mentally disabled controls) at providing context-appropriate mental state explanations for the story characters' nonliteral utterances. Even those autistic subjects who performed well on standard Theory of Mind tasks showed…

This study sought to differentiate pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDDNOS) from similar nonautistic disorders on the basis of a cognitive deficit, theory of mind (ToM), which is the ability to infer mental states in others, a deficit highly prevalent in autism, a disorder similar to PDDNOS. Results suggest that children…

Introduces theme issue on Piagetian constructivist perspective on children's understanding. Summarizes feature articles which argue that teaching should be based on Piaget's theory; and elucidate the development of social and moral understanding, perspective-taking, play, written language, friendship and popularity, and mathematics. Emphasizes the…

Although the role that empathy plays in communication transactions is an important one, there is a great deal of confusion surrounding that term as it is used in the field of communication. Empathy may be best defined as a process consisting of 3 stages: (1) decentering, which requires a shift in focus or multiple perspectives; (2) role-taking,…

This paper describes the development of Allo-Centered (altruistic other-centered) Psychotherapy, an other-centered form of counseling which aims to redirect the client's orientation from self to others. It is noted that this approach is also suitable for clients from group-oriented cultures such as Asians, Pacific Islanders, or Latin Americans.…

A review of communication research was conducted to (1) describe and clarify the nature of empathy, (2) investigate the construct of assertiveness, (3) posit a possible relationship between empathy and assertiveness, and (4) provide possible suggestions for future research. The literature indicates that conceptualizations of empathy primarily…

Explores the differences between boys and girls (5- and 7-year-olds) in their use of two kinds of strategies with interpersonal conflict: (1) active persuasion and negotiation, and (2) mitigation without disrupting social harmony between the interactors. (HOD)

This study investigated the extent of 45 delinquent boys' deficits in role taking skills, and the effects of an experimental remedial program that employed drama and videotape exercises in role taking training. (DP)

This article critically reviews training studies of interpersonal problem solving, family problem solving, verbally mediated self-control applied to social behavior, and social perspective taking with children. Treatment procedures are described, and the outcome data are examined. Discussion focuses upon specific research problems and upon new…

Investigates adolescent egocentrism by examining the relationship between cognitive complexity, social perspective-taking, and communicative skills in early and late adolescents. Focuses upon the ability of adolescents to take the perspectives of other adolescents from within and outside their immediate social group in directing persuasive or…

Presents a review of research on young children's understanding of social behavior (social cognition). (CM)

This study examined children's awareness of peers' perception of them in three areas of social behavior: Sociability-Leadership, Aggressive-Disruptive, and Sensitive-Isolated. Subjects were 175 first- through fifth-grade students who evaluated same-sex classmates using the standard version of the Revised Class Play (RCP) behavior nomination…

The contribution of shared experience to the social role-taking competence of 120 children in preschool, second grade, and fifth grade was evaluated under conditions that did or did not provide subjects the previous opportunity to occupy the perspective of those whose points of view they were later required to assume. (Author/RH)

Examines the social, cognitive, and social-cognitive correlates of nonsocial play in 122 four-year-olds observed for 20 minutes during free play. Subjects were given a role-taking test and tests of social and impersonal problem-solving skills. Sociometric popularity and social competence, as rated by teachers, were also assessed. (Author/RH)

An interview/observation schedule (Home Environmental Process Inventory), which assesses dimensions of maternal behavior, was administered in the homes of 15 learning disabled children. Children's role taking and interpersonal problem solving skills were assessed. Some maternal behaviors were highly correlated with children's social cognitive…