Compares M. E. P. Seligman's recent work on learned helplessness with N. R. F. Maier's 30-year-old work on frustration behavior. Notes striking similarities between the two approaches. Concludes that the learned helplessness model might explain the "abnormal fixations" that Maier reported. (Author/RL)

A three-dimensional theory of frustration-aggression is presented. It is proposed that aggressiveness can be measured by computing the kinetic energy of a response. Aggressiveness is equated with energy state. Experimental and laboratory procedures are outlined. (Author/BEF)

A 31-item questionnaire was given to 199 students, 20 of whom were found to have histories of previous suicide attempts. Results support the necessity of a distinction between groups within a nonsuicidal comparison population and that a quantitative relationship between frequency of suicidal thought and likelihood of attempted suicide exists.…

The authors describe a process for measuring behaviors associated with 16 character values. Using the process described in the article, school officials and counselors can determine character values to target and can determine from scores generated by the instrument if their efforts have resulted in improved behaviors associated with the targeted…

This study documented the occurrence of stereotypical behaviors in young children with various handicapping conditions by rating such behaviors in 351 young children with handicaps by caregivers in early intervention programs. Most of the children exhibited at least one stereotypical behavior, and some stereotypical behaviors were differentially…

Contends treatment strategies often are premised on modifying either environmental factors or clients' interpretations of the interpersonal environment, but a more complete analysis would take into account the role played by genetic transmission in an individual's personality. Recommends when developing interventions both counselors and clients…

Determined four types of preschoolers' social interaction. Examined the relationship of incidents of social interaction of these types to subsequent incidents of conflictual interaction and to the results of the conflictual interaction. Found that preschoolers' dyadic and triadic social interactions preceded conflictual interactions less often…

Examined role of group therapy, specifically marathon group work, as treatment of choice for drug-addicted individuals. Explored specific behavioral characteristics of drug-addicted population in interaction with specific therapeutic factors. Findings from 12 inmates who participated in group therapy supported the treatment value of the marathon…

Explores the interplay between nature and nurture using antisocial behavior as the example, and discusses key genetic concepts and key environmental concepts. The final section considers the nature-nurture interaction in relation to passive, evocative, and active gene-environment correlations and calls for research into the effects of the…

Young adolescents (N=163) were administered a 23-item self-report inventory measuring antisocial behaviors. Results showed antisocial behavior to be multidimensional and to have different factor structures for males and females. The three factors accounting for the majority of variance in antisocial behavior are discussed in terms of…

Goals of this study were to examine the frequency of depression and related constructs of suicidal ideation and hopelessness in a sample of homeless older adolescents and their associations with behaviors, such as infrequent condom use and homosexual experience, that may increase the risk of sexually transmitted disease (STD). (BF)

Examined self-reported psychopathology in a school-based sample of 456 suicidal and nonsuicidal adolescents. Results show greater psychopathology in school-based adolescents who have engaged in past and/or current suicidal behavior. The need for mental health professionals working with at-risk youth to focus on concurrent psychopathology along…

Curricula for students with autism do not take into account levels of learning such as behavioral fluency. Behavioral fluency addresses accuracy as well as speed of response. We posit that fluency increases the functionality of skills for students with autism and should be systematically programmed into a curriculum. To discuss the application of…

Four experiments with six students with multiple profound disabilities examined the function of behavioral stereotypies and sensory modalities maintaining them. Findings are discussed in terms of the sensory and social reinforcers that maintain stereotypy, assessment procedures used to identify reinforcers, and the interpretation of assessment…

Computer games as new media culture have become increasing popular among young people. Today most children play a different genre of games at different times depending on their age, maturity, and opportunity. While some researchers advocate that similar to computer literacy and information literacy, game literacy will be one of the requirements…