This article briefly summarizes how peer associations, hierarchical social structures, and social roles contribute to the development and maintenance of antisocial behaviors. Questions are provided that interventionists must consider in shaping interventions. The need for interventions to change social contextual support for problem behavior is…

Children and adolescents live in a world where thin is "in" and the pressure to conform to society's view of the ideal body, when combined with other life factors, can set the stage for an eating disorder, a psychiatric illness characterized by an extreme desire to be thin and an intense fear of weight gain. Clinical eating disorders and…

A review of current theory and practice regarding social skills training for children with behavior problems precedes the proposal of a different approach to social skills training, which takes into account the effects of social perception biases of peers which may hinder mainstreaming attempts. (Author/CB)

Students who are the target of bullying episodes commonly suffer serious, long-term academic, physical, and emotional consequences. Unfortunately, school personnel often minimize, underestimate, tolerate, or ignore the extent of bullying and the harm it can cause. This digest examines the problem of bullying and some of its effects, and discusses…

Two experiments compared effects of play initiation training on subsequent social interactions between preschool/kindergarten students with severe disabilities and their nonhandicapped peers within play contexts. Training the disabled child in social initiation and play skills was more effective than providing awareness activities and rewards to…

This response to Vaughn and Hogan (EC 608 627), who reported a longitudinal study on the social competence of 10 children with learning disabilities, looks at problems in doing longitudinal research; the influence of environmental factors; and developmental issues. Possible interventions with children having consistent social problems are noted.…

The efficacy of a contextualist training model for increasing the peer acceptance of learning-disabled students through skills training and systematic opportunities for interactions with peers and teachers is evaluated. Ten peer-rejected learning-disabled subjects (seven males and three females) in grades 3 to 6 were selected to participate in the…

To help children develop social competence, teachers ought to understand differences between popular and unpopular children, know how to assess social competence, and employ techniques which aid the development of children's social skills. In general, popular children have developed skills and strategies which allow them to interact with their…

Because people are separate individuals, interpersonal conflict is inevitable. Social psychologists have studied this area by examining styles of conflict resolution such as negotiation/bargaining. Counseling psychologists have attempted to address these concerns through assertiveness and aspects of parenting training. However, no specific model…

Social psychologists have studied interpersonal conflict by examining styles of conflict resolution such as negotiation/bargaining. Counseling psychologists have attempted to address these concerns through assertiveness and aspects of parenting training. In a previous study, a three-component confrontation model--specified behavior, emotional…

Two issues which are addressed in children's cross-race relationships are assessment and intervention. Results from two different types of sociometric studies are reviewed: those using measures of cross-race "best-friendship" and those using measures of "acceptance." Comparisons suggest that using a criterion of best-friendship rather than…

Behavior modification procedures appropriate to the classroom for altering socially deviant behaviors in young children are described. In the first section (Teachers, Peers and Parents as Agents of Change in the Classroom), the classroom is not only the focus of study but also the setting in which treatment, in the form of intervention programs,…

This article discusses the difficulties that preschool children with disabilities have in interacting with their peers and favorably reviews a workshop package designed for educational staff in early childhood settings. "PEER IN" describes intervention strategies to improve social interaction skills between children with disabilities and typically…

Research on bullying has demonstrated the negative effects it has on both protagonist and victim. Schools ignore this dynamic at their own risk because ridicule can also lead to explosive incidents. Schools need to address this challenge by replacing a culture of hostile cliques with a climate of respect. (BF)

This study evaluated two social skills interventions designed to increase the peer acceptance of six students (ages 10-12) with learning disabilities in regular classrooms. The students were instructed in two social skills strategies as well as in skills for working in small groups and leading group activities. Two mnemonic devices were used to…