Three kinds of achievement evident in the contributions to this issue are discussed. First, the systematic evidence for significant bidirectional effects in parent-child relationships is considered and some key principles are highlighted. Second, the information on the nature of parent-child relationships, as in the studies of discipline and play, is considered. Third, challenges and questions raised by, but not necessarily answered in, the articles are considered, with a focus on four topics: the processes implicated in bidirectional influence, the issue of how different levels of analysis illuminate but also constrain the kinds of conclusion that can be drawn, the issue of how developmental change affects patterns of influence within parent-child relationships, and the issue of our biases in interpreting patterns of influence within parent-child relationships.
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2.
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3.
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13.
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14.
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Lollis, S. & Kuczynski, L. (1997) `Beyond One Hand Clapping: Seeing Bidirectionality in Parent-Child Relations', Journal of Social and Personal Relationships14(4): 441-461.
16.
Manke, B. & Plomin, R. (1997) `Adolescent Familial Interactions: A Genetic Extension of the Social Relations Model', Journal of Social and Personal Relationships14(4): 505-522.
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19.
Perlman, M. & Ross, H.S. (1997) `Who's the Boss? Parents' Failed Attempts to Influence the Outcomes of Conflicts Between their Children', Journal of Social and Personal Relationships14(4): 463-480.
20.
Patterson, G.R. (1982) Coercive Family Process. Eugene, OR: Castilia.
21.
Pettit, G.S. & Lollis, S. (1997) `Introduction to Special Issue: Reciprocity and Bidirectionality in Parent-Child Relationships: New Approaches to the Study of Enduring Issues', Journal of Social and Personal Relationships14(4): 435-461.
22.
Plomin, R. (1995) `Genetics and Children's Experiences Within the Family', Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry36: 33-68.
23.
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24.
Russell, A. & Searcy, E. (1997) `The Contribution of Affective Reactions and Relationship Qualities to Adolescents' Reported Responses to Parents', Journal of Social and Personal Relationships14(4): 539-548.
25.
Wahler, R.G. & Bellamy, A. (1997) `Generating Reciprocity with Conduct Problem Children and their Mothers: The Effectiveness of Compliance Teaching and Responsive Parenting', Journal of Social and Personal Relationships14(4): 549-564.
