Steven R Asher, Professor

Steven R Asher

Professor
PhD, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1971
mailing address: 229 Sociology/Psychology Bldg Durham, NC 27708
email:
phone: (919) 660-5773

research interests | publications | courses | curriculum vita

Research Summary:
 Children's social development with a focus on the conceptualization and assessment of relational competence and relational outcomes in childhood. This focus includes: (1) studies of social cognition, especially the goals children pursue in response to interpersonal conflict and other challenging social tasks; (2) studies of peer acceptance, friendship participation, and friendship quality as distinct dimensions of peer adjustment and as unique contributors to emotional well-being versus loneliness; (3) continuing interest in the effects of relational skills interventions on children's acceptance and friendship; (4) studies of children's social relationships in racially desegregated contexts and in educational settings that integrate regular education students with students receiving special education services.

Representative Publications:   (More Publications)

  1. Asher, S. R., Parker, J. G., & Walker, D. L. "Distinguishing friendship from acceptance: Implications for intervention and assessment." The company they keep: Friendship during childhood and adolescence. Ed. W. M. Bukowski, A. F. Newcomb, & W. W. Hartup New York: Cambridge University Press, 1996: 366-405.
  2. Erdley, C.A. & Asher, S.R. (1996). Children's social goals and self-efficacy perceptions as influences on their responses to ambiguous provocation. Child Development, 67, 1329-1344.
  3. Asher, S.R. & Rose, A.J. "Promoting children's social-emotional development with peers." Emotional development and emotional literacy. Ed. P. Salovey & D. Sluyter New York: Basic Books, 1997: 196-224.
  4. Asher, S. R., & Hopmeyer, A. "Loneliness in childhood." Children's needs II: Development, problems and alternatives. Ed. G. G. Bear, K. M. Minke, & A. Thomas Silver Spring, MD: National Association of School Psychologists, 1997: 279-292.
  5. Rose, A.J. & Asher, S.R. (1999). Children's goals and strategies in response to conflicts within a friendship. Developmental Psychology, 35, 69-79.
  6. Rudolph, K.D., & Asher, S. R. "Adaptation and maladaptation in the peer system." Handbook of developmental psychopathology,. Ed. . J. Sameroff, M. Lewis, & S. M. Miller 2nd Ed.New York: Plenum Press, 2000: 157-175.
  7. Asher, S.R., Rose, A.J. & Gabriel, S.W. "Peer rejection in everyday life." Interpersonal rejection. Ed. M. Leary New York: Oxford University Press, 2001: 105-142.
  8. Asher, S. R., & Paquette, J. A. (2003). Loneliness and peer relations in childhood. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 12, 75-78. (Reprinted in two volumes).
  9. Rose, A. J., & Asher, S.R. (2004). Children's strategies and goals in response to help-giving and help-seeking tasks within a friendship. Child Development, 75, 749-763.
  10. Troop-Gordon, W., & Asher, S. R. (2005). Modifications in children's goals when encountering obstacles to conflict resolution. Child Development, 76, 568-582.

Courses (Fall 2009):

  • Psy 321.01, Social development
    Soc/psych 319, Th 04:25 PM-06:55 PM