Reviews the role of social interaction in literacy knowledge construction and the importance of the enrichment of the classroom environment in promoting literacy interactions. Describes the information about writing embedded in a group of kindergartners' interactions during play. (RS)

Argues that any comprehensive theory of peer socialization requires attention to these five constraints: (1) characteristics of the influence source; (2) characteristics of the children being socialized; (3) age constraints on peer influences; (4) paradigm considerations; and (5) domain relevance. (SD)

Assesses the effects of positive peer reporting (PPR) on the cooperative behaviors and peer acceptance of three socially rejected, delinquent youth in residential care. Results indicate that PPR increased the use of cooperative statements made to peers and led to increased peer status. Findings support the use of peers as sources of reinforcement…

Tested the hypothesis that friends are more similar in proactive aggression than in reactive aggression with 185 fourth- to sixth-grade boys and examined interpersonal processes that may account for this similarity. Suggested that proactively aggressive boys tended to select proactively aggressive peers as friends; however, mutual influence…

Presents a raw portrait of life as a delinquent in the juvenile justice system as written by an 18-year-old in detention at the California Youth Authority. The author makes an effort to dissuade his peers from making the same choices that led to his incarceration. (Author/GCP)

Investigates whether higher levels of Internet use are associated with depression and social isolation among adolescents. Eighty-nine high school seniors were administered a questionnaire that measured Internet use; relationships with mother, father, and peers; and depression. Low Internet users, as compared with high users, reported better…

Explores the use of homophobic terms by boys and young men and the meanings they invoke when using them by interviewing young men (N=30). Results show that homophobic terms come into use in primary school. Early homophobic experiences may provide a key reference point for comprehending forthcoming adult identity formation. (MKA)

Sixteen 17-year-old kibbutz members, including 7 hashish smokers and 9 nonsmokers, assessed the probability that a young person of similar background would use drugs. It was found that hashish smokers assigned meaningful importance to a combined influence of personal predisposition and group pressure, while the nonsmokers considered only group…

The construct of peer pressure was examined as part of a qualitative study of the determinants of mental health for 41 high-risk adolescents. While the concept of peer pressure enables adults to explain youths' troubling behaviors, content analysis of the participants' accounts of their lives reveals peer pressure to be a myth. (Author/MKA)

Notes that multiage grouping is one way schools can organize to best serve students and facilitate learning. Provides a 10-item annotated bibliography of items (published between 1995 and 1997) in the ERIC database that address aspects of multiage classrooms. (NH)

Examines relationships between college students' alcohol consumption and epistemological development. Results indicate students who are frequent binge drinkers have not developed a value system that transcends the influences of peers. On the basis of these findings, discusses a constructivist approach to counseling students with problems related…

Research indicates that gender is one of the strongest correlates of juvenile delinquency. Additionally, a growing body of literature suggests that the association with delinquent peers is an important predictor of delinquent behavior. Although a few studies have examined how delinquent peers condition the gender-delinquency relationship, the…

Although social-learning theory remains among the dominant perspectives in micro-level research concerning the causes of delinquency, research has yet to provide an adequate test of its social-reinforcement component using the methods required by the logic of operant psychology. The present article discusses the limits of existing attempts to test…

"Developing School Leaders: A Call for Collaboration" calls for professional development for principals that is a "seamless garment" that extends through preservice, induction, career changes, and retirement (NASSP, 1992). Daresh and Playko (1992) concur with this assertion, stating that training should not be fragmented, but should occur…

This bulletin presents research on why youth join gangs and how a community can build gang prevention and intervention services. The author summarizes recent literature on gang formation and identifies promising and effective programs for gang prevention. The following are some key findings: (1) Youth join gangs for protection, enjoyment, respect,…