Hearing-impaired and normal hearing children in 2 age groups (5-6 years and 9-12 years) were observed for possible differences in their perception and production of intonation. Results indicated that imitation of intonation carried on nonsense syllables was not affected by age. Hearing-impaired subjects scored much lower than controls in imitating…

Studied 4- to 10-year-olds' familiarity judgments of peers. Found that, contrary to adults, external facial features were key. Also found that the switch to adult recognition pattern takes place after the ninth year. (ETB)

Investigated the role of talk in peer collaborations using a computer-based scientific reasoning task. Analysis of children's talk showed that talk dyads produced more talk overall and more interpretive types of talks than talk-alone subjects. Results suggest the importance of peer collaborations as a social context that supports interpretive…

Questionnaires assessing perceived competence, perceived control, competitive trait anxiety, and motivational orientation were completed by 108 boys. Additionally, 12 coaches were observed for 2 games in order to record coaching behaviors during competition. The model tested showed that both coaching behaviors and children's trait anxiety causally…

Investigated joint factor structure of Differential Abilities Scale and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised for 115 children. Compared theoretically supportable models (Spearman's General factor; Wechsler's Verbal, Performance, and Freedom from Distractibility factors; Elliott's verbal, nonverbal, spatial, and diagnostic perspective)…

Administered Washington University Sentence Completion Test, Rest Defining Issues Test, and moral judgment interview of reasons for choosing abortion to unmarried females (ages 12-14, 17-19, 23-25). Found clear developmental differences between youngest and two older groups on ego development and principled moral reasoning; no major differences…

Examined structural equation model for depressed mood for three samples of boys (n=317) from at-risk families. Model accounted for from 51 percent to 68 percent of variance in criterion construct. Hypothesized negative path coefficients from good peer relations construct to depressed mood construct were significant; path from academic skills…

Rated gender boundary violation and maintenance of 47 preadolescents participating in a summer day camp. Found that children who violated gender boundaries tended to be unpopular with peers; and children who maintained boundaries were judged by camp counselors to be more competent socially than children who violated boundaries. (MDM)

Examines recent research on cultural and gender differences among early adolescents, focusing on friendship patterns, identity development, social expectations, self-esteem, learning styles, health concerns, achievement aspirations, and sex role attitudes and behaviors. Young adolescents benefit when middle-level educators provide opportunities…

Examined how younger and older adolescents differed in their value judgments of historically important events. Subjects (n=154) between the ages of 11 and 27 listed 10 most important events to United States since 1900. Three most frequently cited events were World Wars I and II and Vietnam. Age was much better predictor of value judgments than…

Examined the hypotheses that intimacy of friendship is more integral to socioemotional adjustment during adolescence than during preadolescence, and that competence in close relationship skills is more important during adolescence than preadolescence. Findings suggest the importance of the ability to establish close friendships increases during…

Measured degree of career certainty, involvement in career planning, and level of academic aspiration of gifted students (n=161) several times. Found no main effects for sex; interaction of sex and age produced significant results. Girls were more certain than boys about their talents and career plans in elementary school but not in junior high…

Compares the responses of 10- and 11-year olds with those of 12- to 17-year olds in a national telephone survey of youth (N=2,000) concerning victimization and victimization prevention education. Younger children disclosed fewer sensitive kinds of victimization, but their rates for assaults were equivalent to the older children. (Author/MKA)

Advocates early intervention to prevent high-risk behaviors among upper-elementary school students. Discusses changes experienced by preadolescents and implications for their learning and future adjustment. Reviews brief intervention packages and describes an alternative approach involving embedding a prevention program into daily classroom…

A family process model was used to link mothers' and fathers' psychological functioning to sibling relationship quality in a sample of 9- to 12-year-old African American youth (N=85) living in the rural Southeastern United States. Better parental psychological functioning was linked to more supportive relationships in the family, and youth in…