The paper presents an overview of an ethological approach to the study of abnormal human behavior and a review of research using ethological approaches (with an emphasis on autism research). Ethology is defined as the study of behavior as it occurs in its natural habitat. The four types of questions ethologists ask about behavior, such as what is…

This study examines the differential effects of spatial density on five-year-old children who were divided into "low" and "high" on dimensions of hyperactivity-distractibility, anxiety, hostility-aggressiveness, behavior disturbance, and motor inhibition. Sex differences in interaction with the above behavioral dimensions were…

This book deals with the science of behavior and how it can be used humanely for positive and direct change. It was written for a mass audience, including parents, persons with elderly family members, the helping staff in clinical situations, college students, and teachers in training. Part 1 discusses the science of behavior and includes chapters…

Research on overcorrection (for use with the mentally handicapped, schizophrenic, and autistic) is reviewed, and two types of overcorrection, restitutional and positive-practice, are described. (BD)

A behavioral intervention program for conduct problem children with both behavioral and academic difficulties in elementary school was evaluated. A standard 20-hour treatment program was provided. Significantly greater behavioral improvement occured for treated than for control children. However, at follow-up, these differences were no longer…

A recent approach to dealing with adolescent problems is social skills training, which emphasizes specific prosocial alternative responses for problematic situational interactions. Research has shown that social skills training has positive outcomes. However, it is not known whether an emphasis on the cognitive might enhance maintenance and…

This commentary on a paper (EC 603 646) describing a natural reinforcement project of Communidad Los Horcones (Mexico) notes that the original paper lacks auxiliary procedures for students whose behaviors are not controlled by described procedures, offers no guidance on curriculum structure, and fails to recognize potential opposition to such…

This paper argues that many social validity processes in applied behavior analysis are actually measuring consumer satisfaction and not the habilitative validity of goals, procedures, or outcomes. The term "habilitative validation" is proposed to replace social validity, and use of more objective assessment methods is encouraged.…

Results of a functional analysis indicted that the hand mouthing of a woman with profound mental retardation was maintained by multiple sources of control (sensory stimulation and access to a leisure item). Hand mouthing, though maintained by automatic reinforcement, was also susceptible to social contingencies when exposed to them during…

This paper summarizes basic research on response effort in diverse applied areas including deceleration of aberrant behavior, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, oral habits, littering, and problem solving. The paper concludes that response effort as an independent variable has potent effects, and research exploring the applied benefits of…

Children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) have significant social skills deficits. The efficacy of a child friendship training (CFT) versus a delayed treatment control (DTC) was assessed for 100 children ages 6 to 12 years with FASD. Children in the CFT showed clear evidence of improvement in their knowledge of appropriate social…

Chapter 6 of "Education of Exceptional Children, a review of the literature for the 3-year period since the issuance of "REVIEW OF EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH , Volume 36, No 1, February 1966.

This catalog contains some 250 listings of films, videotapes, and slide programs on the subjects of behavioral modification, behavior therapy, programed instruction, and learning and conditioning. Listings are accompanied by brief descriptions taken directly from distributors' catalogs. Names and addresses of distributors are included, but price…

Evaluates the effectiveness of social skills training methods specifically designed to enhance children's peer relationships. Discusses "coaching" methods on the basis of a small scale survey of social skills training procedures in use at social service agencies, guidance centers, hospitals, and clinical settings. (Author/AOS)

Examines the risk and protective factors for different types of violent behavior in high school adolescents. Major risk factors include gender and deviant behaviors, committing nonviolent felonies, academic failure, and lack of parental affection and support. As risk factors increase, the likelihood of violent behavior increases. Impaired parental…