In 1973, the evolutionary biologist Leigh Van Valen of the University of Chicago devised what he called the "Red Queen Effect" to describe the growth and development of species. It stipulated that an evolutionary system must continue to develop just to maintain its fitness relative to others evolving in its environment. The literary reference is…

This prospective study examined the relations between organized activity involvement, loneliness, and friendship quality across the transition to college. In all, 85 adolescents (54 females and 31 males) completed measures during the summer before their first year of college (Time 1) and 10 months later (Time 2). More intense involvement in…

Adolescent participation in structured activities, meaning those with adult leaders, regular meetings, and skill-building activities, is related to good adjustment. Participation in unstructured, unsupervised, peer-oriented activities is related to poor adjustment. Structured activity participation is high in early adolescence and then declines,…

Children's peer relations are critical for social adjustment and respect plays an important role in peer relations. Furthermore, children's understanding and expression of respect is related to culture. This chapter discusses the interplay of culture, peer social competence, and respect. (Contains 1 table.)

This prospective investigation sought to discriminate children who were both aggressive towards and victimized by peers in the first grade, from those who were only aggressive, only victimized, or neither (i.e., socially adjusted), using early child and family risk factors. Two hundred thirty-eight children, their mothers, and teachers…

The purpose of the present study was to examine relations among multiple child and family protective factors, neighborhood disadvantage, and positive social adjustment in a sample of 226 urban, low SES boys followed from infancy to early adolescence. The results indicated that child IQ, nurturant parenting, and parent-child relationship quality,…

This study examined (a) the unique contribution of mothers' involvement in their children's organized activity, fathers' involvement in the activity, social integration in the activity peer group, and social support from the activity leader on youth adjustment and (b) the moderating effects of youths' gender and prior adjustment on these…

The aim of the present study was to examine the social behaviour and competence of children, ages 3-6 as they progressed through the stages of second language acquisition in a dual-immersion program in English and Mandarin. Over 100 2-3 hour classroom observations were made during the school year. Teachers' evaluations of children's social…

Among academically talented students, SES and racial group membership predict both college expectations and matriculation, and youth less often attend and complete postsecondary education if their parents did not go to college. For successful adjustment to college, significant adults during high school matter more than they might imagine. Talking…

The retrospective case study conducted in Israel was aimed at assessing students' and parents' views relating to grade skipping. It sheds light on authentic views and decision-making related to the processes and outcomes of grade skipping. The study sample comprised students (N=5) who had experienced grade skipping at different stages in their…

Since the identification of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) over 35 years ago, mounting evidence about the impact of maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy has prompted increased attention to the link between prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and a constellation of developmental disabilities that are characterized by physical, cognitive, and…

This report is a compilation of record-keeping techniques being used in elementary schools in New York State. The materials compiled are not all-inclusive nor meant to be an exemplary collection; they represent the response to a request sent by the Board of Elementary Curriculum Development in June 1971. Five major sections include program…

Teachers' ratings of the social-emotional adjustment of four groups of preschoolers were collected: deaf children with additional handicaps; deaf children without additional handicaps; hearing children with other handicaps; and hearing children without other handicaps. Additionally handicapped deaf and hearing Ss with other handicaps were…

Social workers' theoretical assumptions about deviants have important consequences for practice. This article explores four theoretical models of deviant behavior and the circumstances under which people react to rule-violating behavior. (Author)

Article discusses various programs, now in progress in Great Britain, which are attempting to make the adjustment from working life to retirement easy and pleasant for senior citizens. The programs offer education, medical aid, home visits, geriatric units, museum trips, visits to art galleries, social clubs, and hobby centers, and social events.…