One of a series of papers which focus on 10- to 15-year-old adolescents, this publication describes these young people as they work through developmental tasks in environments (families, communities, peer groups, and schools) that are part of their daily lives. This description is used as a basis to accomplish the following: (1) a further…

Metacognitive approach responses of preschoolers about sex differences in emotionality were examined to determine if they could be modified by contextual cues. Fear was clearly perceived as a feminine emotion by preschoolers. Sadness was not seen as gender-specific. Females utilized imagery as a mediator of their gender attribution. Results…

This self-scoring questionnaire on attitudes related to smoking includes norms based upon the responses of 7,000 teenagers and a discussion of the meaning of eight subscores. The subscores are: (1) effect of smoking on health; (2) non-smoker's rights; (3) positive effects of smoking; (4) manufactured reasons for smoking; (5) reasons for starting;…

A model of the self concept formation process was tested using path analysis and data on 1225 Bolivian seventh graders. (SB)

Examines the effect of athletic-related activities on peer-group culture of students at a predominantly working-class middle school. Reports that certain extracurricular activities influence the male and female cultures of early adolescents by promoting specific values which are incorporated into the informal peer-culture of the school.…

Reviews literature regarding factors associated with children's initiation into smoking and examines efficacy of health education programs in preventing smoking in children. Though using peer leaders as health educators has been successful, parent-implemented health prevention programs aiming at children at younger ages may be more effective in…

Examined data on courtship violence among college students (N=289) for aggressors and victims and for males and females, distinguishing among three types of violence (abuse, violence, sexual aggression). Found that influences most proximate in time and place affected courtship aggression most strongly; subjects' experiences as victims and…

Eight high- and low-status nonhandicapped students ages 7-10 (N=8) were taught to direct social initiations to eight severely handicapped students during recess. Interactions of the high-status students resulted in higher levels of initiations by nontrained peers toward the handicapped students than did interactions of low-status students.…

Students can benefit from structured in-school helping relationships in which peers assume formal teaching roles as tutors. Both the student helper and the student learner benefit from peer tutoring. Guidelines for developing effective peer tutoring programs are provided. (BJV)

Two distinctive populations, 262 high school students and 137 college students, were administered questionnaires to determine whether public high school students could perceive neutrality if school authorities permitted prayer clubs to meet on school premises before or after school. The data indicate that high school students cannot perceive…

A learning-disabled adolescent male who exhibited inappropriate behavior, poor academic work, and inadequate social skills is described. His teacher devised a disruptive behaviors checklist, conducted a reliability check, and decided on a motivational intervention whereby the subject's behavior determined consequences for the entire class. The…

Corporal punishment and suspension are cruel and discriminatory. School social workers can help to implement more humane strategies such as the following: (1) in-school suspension; (2) timeout procedures; (3) assignment to alternative schools; (4) behavior contracting; (5) use of peers and parents; and (6) social and cognitive skills training. (VM)

Identifies and discusses factors that affect the development of food preferences in preschool children, including familiarity, age, parents, peers, teachers, and programs designed to influence food habits. Makes recommendations to preschool and day care programs for creating an atmosphere conducive to trying new foods. (Author/DST)

Summarizes author's expert witness testimony in West Virginia court case (1985) involving prayer in public schools. Covers the constitutional issue of separation of church and state, the specific issue of school prayer, the particular law under legal challenge, and the perceptions of a Catholic boy and a Jewish girl directly affected. (NH)

Questionnaires administered to 2,589 adolescents attempted to determine usage of various substances. Significant relations were found between substance use and (1) susceptibility to peer pressure, (2) self-esteem, and (3) internal health locus of control. (CH)