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Childhood social program leads to better-functioning young adults

A 15-year follow-up of a childhood social development intervention found improved mental health, sexual health, and educational and economic achievement among participants. The Seattle Social Development Project showed positive effects on behavior management, refusal, social skills training, and academic development in elementary schoo...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalArchives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine·DateDec 1, 2008

New program teaches preschoolers reading skills, getting along with others

A new program, REDI Head Start, combines pre-reading skills with social-emotional learning to foster preschoolers' academic and social success. Children in the REDI program outperformed those in traditional programs on tests of emotional development, impulsivity, aggression, and reading skills.

Robots moving closer to humans

The Springer Handbook of Robotics presents the latest research in robotics, covering foundations to social and ethical implications. Edited by renowned experts Bruno Siciliano and Oussama Khatib, the handbook sets new standards for future developments and challenges in this scientific discipline.

Teens' perception that they are liked found to be at least as important as actually being liked

A new study published in Child Development found that teenagers who feel good about themselves and are comfortable with their peers can be socially successful without being popular. The research suggests that adolescents' feelings of confidence in their own social standing are a protective factor for long-term social functioning.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateMay 15, 2008

Children with autism may learn from 'virtual peers'

Researchers at Northwestern University have found that children with high-functioning autism produce more contingent sentences when interacting with virtual peers. This suggests that virtual peers can be a useful tool in helping children with autism develop communication and social skills. The study aims to generalize these skills to m...

RAND study finds path to diversity success varies

Companies recognized for diversity may prioritize surface-level recruiting over comprehensive programs, while those in top human resources departments focus on work environment improvements. Researchers found that diversity initiatives are more effective when driven by business goals, such as boosting productivity and profitability.

Childhood exposure to disadvantaged neighborhoods negatively affects verbal ability

A Harvard University study found that living in a severely disadvantaged neighborhood decreases later verbal test scores by about four IQ points, equivalent to missing a year of school. This effect persists even after moving out of the neighborhood, highlighting the importance of addressing social factors beyond economic situation.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 18, 2007

Neanderthal bearing teeth

A 100,000-year-old Neanderthal from Belgium showed faster tooth growth, suggesting more advanced dental development. This pattern is intermediate between early human ancestors and living people, indicating a recent condition unique to our species.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 4, 2007

Babies prefer good Samaritans

Babies as young as six months old showed a preference for individuals who help others, while hindering was met with disdain. This early ability to evaluate people suggests that assessing interactions is central to processing the social world.

SourceYale University·JournalNature·DateNov 21, 2007

Adolescence and autism: a difficult, but not hopeless, combination according to a new MUHC study

A new study by Dr. Eric Fombonne found that social skills training groups for autistic adolescents can lead to significant improvements in social and interpersonal skills. The groups, which involve role-playing and peer validation, have been shown to be efficient and effective in reducing problems with irritability and sensitivity.

SourceMcGill University Health Centre·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateNov 2, 2007

Intergroup attitudes among youth addressed by leading development and social psychologists

A recent issue of the International Journal of Behavioral Development explores how cross-group friendships affect intergroup attitudes in children and adolescents. The findings suggest a positive relationship between dual identity and positive intergroup attitudes, highlighting the importance of promoting social inclusion.

SourceSAGE·JournalInternational Journal of Behavioral Development·DateOct 24, 2007

Good fences make good neighbors

Researchers develop mathematical model to predict ethnic conflict based on global pattern formation, finding poorly defined boundaries and heterogeneous areas prone to violence. The study suggests that clear borders can prevent ethnic tension, echoing Robert Frost's poem 'good fences make good neighbors',

SourceBrandeis University·JournalScience·DateSep 13, 2007

Old developmental pathways spawn revolutionary evolutionary changes

A team of researchers, including Arizona State University's Gro Amdam, has discovered that the Polistes wasp's larval environment determines its future royal stature through environmental cues. The study sheds light on how developmental diapause and reproduction can be adopted in primitively social settings to result in complex social ...

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 6, 2007

Autistic children recognize stereotypes based on race and sex

Research reveals that autistic children can learn and apply social stereotypes, including those based on race and sex, despite difficulties with theory of mind development. This finding suggests that different cognitive mechanisms may be at play for understanding social categories versus mental states.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 18, 2007

Brains reflect sex differences

Brain structures reflect sex differences due to varying pressures on males and females, with larger neocortex linked to female sociability. Greater male competition correlates with reduced septum size, suggesting less control over aggression.

SourceBMC (BioMed Central)·JournalBMC Biology·DateMay 10, 2007

Your mom was wrong: Horseplay is an important part of development

Rough and tumble play in animals has been linked to improved social competence and coordination. The study found that deprivation of peer interaction led to impaired movement coordination and perception of social cues in rats. These findings suggest that horseplay is essential for the development of social skills in humans.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalCurrent Directions in Psychological Science·DateMar 19, 2007

New tool taps drool for clues to childhood stress

A new study uses a salivary test to measure alpha amylase levels in children, finding that social relationships with mothers and teachers influence stress responses. The findings suggest that individual differences in alpha amylase levels can be linked to social problems, aggressive behavior, and cognitive/academic difficulties.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·DateApr 19, 2006

Prof makes case for 'precious' metals

Dr. Jeremy Richards proposes setting uniform royalty rates for metal producers to account for extraction costs, which could lead to increased revenue for governments and reduced environmental impact. He also envisions a system of product ownership and recycling to promote social equity and sustainable development.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·DateFeb 23, 2006