Shows tests of social learning theory in a rural middle school setting in 1975 and 1979 determined that variables (i.e., social reinforcement, social/nonsocial reinforcements, differential associations, and supportive definitions) accounted for 34 percent variance level of marijuana use in 1975 and 52 percent variance in 1979. Suggests marijuana…

Examined female college students' (N=466) drug use, marihuana use in particular. Results indicated that the gap in marihuana usage patterns between females and males has substantially narrowed. Female marihuana users used other drugs quite extensively and had friends who use marihuana. Peer influence was a major factor in drug use. (JAC)

Focuses on the concept of belief as a social bond in relationship to marijuana use among adolescents. Results of a survey of 571 junior and senior high school students showed that perception of certainty of apprehension and association with a nonmarijuana-using group were effective deterents. (JAC)

A survey of male Ph.D.s in chemistry and psychology at selective liberal arts colleges showed the publication rate of department colleagues to be positively related to current publication productivity of the focal faculty member. Colleagues influenced research activity of faculty with low prior research levels, but not higher prior levels.…

Suggests that, for professional women, a male-patterned network is not professionally useful or psychologically desirable. Proposes an alternative, collegial model of networking based on mutual support between peers and colleagues, capitalizing on positive feminine characteristics. (Author)

P.R.A.I.S.E. (Positive Reinforcement and Individualized Systematic Economics) is a multifaceted money system which utilizes positive and negative reinforcement and, at the same time, incorporates peer pressure and reinforcement for behavior modification. The system motivates, relates closely to life situations, and can be applied to all areas of…

Explores the generalization of changes in children's preferences for easy or difficult goals, when their preferences are induced by exposure to peer models playing a novel athletic game. Subjects played the same game immediately after exposure, participated in a "spelling bee" three weeks later, and chose puzzles of differing levels of…

A study investigated the decision-making process regarding the cigarette smoking of students in grades 5, 7, 9, and 11. Results indicate that greater emphasis needs to be placed on the social factors of the decision-making process in school health education programs and that the emphasis on social concerns should increase with grade level. (JN)

Explored the impact of sorority and fraternity affiliation. Studied college freshmen at the beginning and end of the school year. Found no significant differences between affiliated and nonaffiliated students, suggesting that the Greek system might reassess its philosophy and pledge education programs. (Author/JAC)

Sixty college students, representing three of Kohlberg's moral judgment stages, were exposed to a compliance situation. Self-awareness was experimentally increased in 30 subjects. Those in moral stages 3 and 4 complied significantly more than stage 5 subjects. Results are discussed in terms of a cognition-behavior relationship. (Author/SJL)

Mediocrity is a powerful force. But whatever its cause so far as education is concerned--be it rampant bureaucracy or pressure from teaching peers who feel threatened by excellence--mediocrity can be defeated, if teachers will stand up and refuse to bend to pressures to do less than their best. (Author/SJL)

A conceptual and practical plan is outlined for campus alcohol abuse prevention programs. Barriers to program success are identified, and a prevention strategy is presented that focuses on methods to: (1) define alcohol-related problems, (2) negotiate a prevention contract, and (3) develop a peer problem-solving approach to alcohol education.…

Mothers', fathers', and peers' differential reward and punishment of 3- and 5-year-old children's sex-typed behaviors were examined using a laboratory analog of a natural play context. Implications for social learning and reciprocal-role development are explored and a social network perspective on children's social development is discussed.…

Indicates that the most pervasive correlate of the decision to use either pro- or antisocial ways of resolving conflict is the adolescent's perception of how likely his/her peers and parents would use these ways. Television characters' behaviors were a weak influence. (PD)

Reports data from a psychosocial study of drug behavior among secondary school students in Puerto Rico. Concludes that although Puerto Rico and the U.S. differ in culture and lifestyle, both cultures provide similar sociocultural inducements for adolescent drug use. (Author/GC)