Examines status and gender role explanations of the tendency for women to conform more than men in group pressure settings. Analysis of age and sex differences revealed that older females were significantly more conforming than older males when under surveillance and when subjects formed impressions of group members' likability. Among younger…

A social-learning model was tested for its ability to explain why adolescents drive under the influence of alcohol and ride with drinking drivers. The study demonstrates that if adolescent drinking and driving is to be prevented, careful attention must be prevented, careful attention must be paid to ways that it is learned and maintained.…

Describes the powerful force that peer relationships exert on a child. Focuses on four aspects of development in which children's friendships predominate: finding out how to deal with aggression; learning about sex; developing moral standards; and finding emotional security. Discusses when and how adults should intervene in a child's…

Surveyed college students (N=688) from two universities to examine variables related to drinking, i.e., peer pressure, social ease, and desire to refrain from drinking. Results show class standing and gender to be variables affecting resistance to pressure to drink (RPD). Presents preventive strategies for university administrators. (BH)

In a longitudinal study, infants 6 to 18 months of age were observed in their homes playing with their mothers and with peers to determine how they coordinated attention to people and objects. Person engagement declined with age, while coordinated joint engagement increased; both passive and coordinated joint engagement were much more likely when…

Discusses various issues surrounding inability of individualized reading approach to improve reading ability of poor readers at elementary level. Suggested reasons for failure include school environment, peer pressure, self-concept, and individual reading difficulties. Teachers' role in addressing reading failure in children is considered. (DST)

The influence on children's self-efficacy and achievement through observation of peer models learning cognitive skills was investigated. The effects of modeled mastery and coping behaviors were explored. Observing a peer model led to higher self-efficacy for learning, posttest self-efficacy, and achievement. (Author/DWH)

Perceptive principals and teachers can use to their advantage the effects of peer pressure on 10- to 14-year-old children. Schools should provide these middle-grade students with clear expectations, predictable consequences for undesirable behavior, and frequent rewards for positive actions. Conclusions of research on grade grouping are…

Examines two patterns of socializing interactions in 180 adolescents' relations with mothers, fathers, and friends. These patterns involve commands based on greater authority and expertise (unilateral) and negotiation and coconstruction (mutual). In a questionnaire, adolescents reported the frequencies of these patterns in their own relations…

Describes and evaluates a student-administered group-oriented contingency technique for improving the arithmetic performance of grade school children. (KH)

In this paper we present estimates of roommate and institution based peer effects. Using data from the College & Beyond survey, the Freshman survey, and phonebook data that allows us to identify college roommates ? we estimate models of students? political persuasion and intellectual engagement. The evidence suggests that a student's roommate's…

This paper, prepared as a chapter for a forthcoming book, describes the potential significance of student peer effects for the economic structure and behavior of higher education. The existence of student peer effects would motivate much of the restricted supply, student queuing, and selectivity, and institutional competition via merit and honors…

This book provides a comprehensive clinical-developmental framework for understanding and treating behavior problems in early childhood. Examining the developmental tasks and transitions that young children face in cognitive, social, and family contexts, the book helps readers distinguish between typical, age-appropriate behaviors and those that…

This study examined the extent to which each of four factors contributes to students' estimates of their development in college. These factors are: (1) student/faculty interaction; (3) student involvement; (3) quality of a student's effort; and (4) peer interaction. A mail survey was completed by 484 students. The instrument used was the College…

The Office of National Drug Control Policy put together this guide to give administrators at institutions of higher education a basic understanding of illegal drug use among the college population and to urge their support in ridding campuses of this threat. People start using drugs for many reasons including peer pressure, thrills, or in search…