This paper explores how organizational features of high schools influence the informal interaction of students attending them. Size of school, composition of the student body, and differentiation into curriculum and grade levels are factors which affect the patterns of informal interaction among students. The informal social arrangement of…

An argument is made against the use of school averages as composition measures by documenting the non-random nature of peer associations and by presenting evidence that different students are influenced by different reference groups. The structure of friendship associations among some 20,000 students in the McDill Twenty High School Sample is…

Racial, sex, and family background differences of ninth- and twelfth-grade students in feelings of individual control over environment were analyzed from the data of the Coleman Report. For the ninth-grade group of black students the situational components of social class level of classmates, racial composition of the classroom, and close…

These studies, conducted at an experimental secondary school which sought to create "community felling" by not separating students by grade or ability, looked at the students' social patterns and groupings and at the impressions which subgroups had of own group and other groups. The first is based on an all-school sociometric questionnaire; the…

AN EXPLORATION OF THE EFFECTS OF LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES (SOCIAL CLASSES), DEFINED WITH REFERENCE TO FOUR ENVIRONMENTS, ON A PERSON'S SUPPORT FOR COLLEGE EDUCATION WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY. THE FOUR ENVIRONMENTS USED WERE--(1) MAN'S SOCIAL BACKGROUND, (2) MAN'S FRIENDSHIP PATTERNS, (3) THE WORK ENVIRONMENT, AND (4) VOLUNTARY ACTIVITIES IN NONWORK…

Three measurements for describing different aspects of sociometric status in a longtudinal study are presented. The measurements were developed over the course of an investigation into stability and change in social positions within a school class The subjects were Swedish schoolchildren aged 10-13 years. Information about the pupils' sociometric…

Forty second grade and 40 fifth grade elementary school children participated in a study to examine the relationship of three factors to the development of trust in children's peer relations: participation in a best friend relationship, social status, and changes in factors children consider when making judgments of trust. (RWB)

Investigates whether children with poor peer relations display developmental lag in their conceptions of friendship. Compares social-cognitive level of understanding, using the Selman theory of interpersonal understanding, in sample of grade 2 versus grade 7 students identified as socially accepted, rejected, or neglected. The latter did not show…

Through direct observations of activities, conversations, and social interactions involving children with emotional or behavioral challenges, this study investigated practices child care staff used to include these children in their program, as well as child to child interactions, and supports put in place for times of transition between…

This report details the activities and accomplishments of a 4-year federally supported project concerned with: (1) validating a new strategy designed to promote the social relationships among young children with and without disabilities; (2) creating a training manual for use by teachers to promote acceptance of young children with disabilities;…

Discusses the characteristics and benefits of friendship, not only as a central metaphor for the individual/church relationship, but also as a strategy and guide for the church, the individual, and the community. Identifies the four components of friendship as a shared story, embodied love, committed reciprocity, and a shared vision. (MJP)

Examined children's behavioral and dispositional expectations for classroom best friends. Found that expectations were more important when evaluating a prototypic versus an actual best friend and that boys placed more importance on companionship, loyalty, and common interests for both types of friends. Suggested a need to consider the target of…

Explores mentoring as a means of promoting spiritual growth for women in a congregational setting. Surveys the roles and activities of mentors with special attention to utilization in business and educational environments. Proposes four likely components of a mentoring relationship. (MJP)

Discusses a qualitative research study of children about moral consciousness. Shows children have a strong moral sense. Notes participants grappled with issues of fairness, responsibility, choice, and the value of human life. Reports that gender and age affected responses. (CAJ)

A program designed to enhance children's prosocial development was conducted in three suburban elementary schools for five years. Findings for students from kindergarten through grade four emphasize the need for supportive teacher-student relationships and opportunities for student decision making, autonomy, and collaborative interaction. (TJH)