Overview of Research on Social Interaction: A Historical and Personal Perspective

Abstract

This article presents a review of research on social interaction that was conducted by the author, students, and colleagues, primarily at George Peabody College for Teachers of Vanderbilt University. The article traces the history and presents both successes and failures of our research in gaining information regarding the development of social interaction skills of handicapped (i.e., behaviorally disordered and mentally retarded) children. Several suggestions are made for future research and development areas. The article does not represent a comprehensive review, but rather a historical overview of a program of research conducted at Peabody. Each publication cited has incorporated related research from sources other than that completed at Peabody. In order to illustrate the progression of our program of research, the literature presented is consciously limited. The author presents this article as a personal perspective which should not necessarily be considered the perspective of other investigators involved in the research.