A theory of the importance and effect of an exchange-orientation for marriage and friendship was developed. It was hypothesized from this theory that an exchange-orientation in both members of the pair would be inimical to marriage adjustment and facilitative of situationally determined friendships. The data generally support the hypothesis.…

Examines the workings of a children's residential treatment environment in order to gain new insight into residential treatment in general. Areas studied include: children's responses to crowding or to isolation; use of open areas; personalization of life space; spatial territoriality; and environmental accommodation. (BF)

Compared were general personality traits and social-emotional adjustment in dating relationships among three sub-populations (from public, residential, or a combination of public and residential school settings) of young blind adults (n=75) and a sighted control group (n=25). (SBH)

Outlines the therapeutic process in social skills training with 22 socially dysfunctional outpatients who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria for avoidant personality disorder. Measured performance of prosocial target behaviors and associated subjective anxiety during baseline, treatment, and follow-up periods.…

Results of a peer confrontation procedure on the disruptive classroom behavior of three behavior-disordered and mildly retarded students (ages 9-11) are reported. Immediately following each episode of disruptive behavior, peers were prompted by the teacher to label the target behavior, indicate why it was unacceptable, and suggest an alternative…

Compares the effects of two educational programs--Developing Understanding Self and Others-Revised (DUSO-R) and Walker Social Skills Curriculum (ACCEPTS)--on the social skills and self-esteem of children 6-10 years old. Results indicate ACCEPTS program resulted in greater efficacy in social adjustment, although DUSO-R program faired better in…

Seventy directors of residential and/or Semi-Independent Living Services (SILS) programs responded to a survey questionnaire in which they evaluated 245 independent living skills in terms of their necessity for entry into SILS programs. Large differences of opinion were expressed regarding the number and relative importance of prerequisite skills.…

Functional assessment of the severely mentally handicapped should take place in the natural environment and should consider present as well as future needs in the following domains: personal-social, daily living skills, leisure, and work activities. (CL)

Discusses a study of three high-quality curriculum models designed for disadvantaged preschoolers: programed learning, open-framework (teacher and child-initiated activities), and child-centered. While the study showed that diverse curriculum models can be equally effective, the age 15 data point to child-initiated learning activities as most…

This study was undertaken to determine if adolescent social disaffection with school and family not only would be a significant predictor of cigarette use but also would explain a significant amount of the association with friends who smoke. Results are presented. (Author/MT)

Path analysis of data from survey of 159 families indicated that for families with daughters parental traits and child adjustment are mediated by parental acceptance. Relations between parental traits and other variables in the path model are less dramatic when parents' report of their own personality characteristics are employed rather than the…

Four case studies are analyzed to demonstrate how situational and role constraints in organizations make nonparticipation the most practical adjustment for workers. Organizational settings are viewed as socializing contexts that teach workers what is expected, valued, and actually pays off. The implications of this view for other forms of worker…

The study compared adaptive behavior, social adjustment and academic achievement of educable mentally retarded, learning disabled, behavior disordered, and regular class elementary children (N=120). Significant differences were found in adaptive behavior, social adjustment, and academic achievement among the four groups; none of the instruments,…

Programs in which handicapped students tutor their nonhandicapped peers can enhance the tutors' academic achievement and personal/social growth. Steps to be considered in developing such programs include determining the type of tutoring (peer, cross-age, adult-child, etc.), choosing a content area, training and supervising the tutors, and…