Assesses the types of conversational patterns--from cross-complaining to contracting--that characterize satisfied couples; suggests theoretical models that account for their success. Proposes the hypothesis that the underlying mechanism that maintains closeness in marriages is symmetry in emotional responsiveness, which relates to whether spouses…

Proposes a distinction between: (1) social interactional rules as those governing social behavior within social structural contexts and (2) sociolinguistic roles governing the use of resources of spoken and written language within sets of social structural constraints. Also distinguishes between system-specific rules and rules which may be common…

Identifying clients is of prime importance to group leaders. Two variables which have proved useful in understanding therapeutic performance are social risk taking propensity and client expectancy. The present study was concerned with the prediction of group member performance following pretreatment assessment of these two variables. (Author)

Data show three patterns of response to the sensitivity training experience, an enhanced rate of change in some opposite sex relationships, more satisfaction with various types of elders, and dissatisfaction coupled with a possibly declining rate of change among same-sex work equals. (Author)

The social interactions of 60 mother-infant pairs were observed for 25 minutes in a seminaturalistic setting when the infants were 6 months old and again at 20 months. Forty-six of the infants were termed at high risk for later school failure due to the socioeconomic situations of their families. (Author)

Competition interaction indicated that males exhibited more intrinsic motivation during competition than when not in competition, whereas females displayed no differences between these conditions. (JD)

A means of reducing teacher anxiety is explored. Administrative policy geared toward a warm and friendly atmosphere that fosters group supportiveness is recommended. (JC)

Presents ten principles for fostering a harmonous interaction with infants. (CM)

University students (N=48) were individually tested for suggestibility in one of three conditions. Results indicated subjects of higher rated experimenters would demonstrate more suggestibility than subjects of lower rated experimenters. Results did not indicate that subject interaction with lower rated experimenters would elicit less…

In this paper the nature of adult sibling solidarity is considered, and two features of our kinship system that help explain its form are examined: (1) the fact that kinship operates as a social network; and (2) the element of personal choice permitted. (Author)

Generic power is the ability to anticipate elements in a predictable sequence in a communicative event. The article examines the role of such power in a crucial situation--the admission interview in the Republic of Singapore--and argues that generic conventions cannot be divorced from the institutional and cultural constraints peculiar to a speech…

To elucidate natural spoken conversation as a genre type, the characteristics of dyadic discourse as a "communicative genre" is focused on by examining the primary intent of utterances and the four phases of the dominant exchange structure via an interactive functional analysis of an extensive database of ordinary conversations (student,…

Examines some characteristics of "Mm," in particular its variants, as a weak acknowledging token, a continuer, and a weak assessment within the Australian context. Findings indicate that the most common "Mm" is best characterized as an acknowledging object used to mark unproblematic receipt of the immediately prior talk and no…