A longitudinal study of 47 children with bilateral otitis media with effusion (OME) at age five compared with a group of non-OME children revealed that OME Ss continued to have significant hearing loss at subsequent ages, as well as language, speech, behavior, and reading difficulties. (Author/CL)

The effectiveness of negative practice and self-control procedures were evaluated in isolation and in combination in the reduction of smoking behavior. Female smokers (N=50) were assigned to either of three treatment programs. Data provided evidence for the superiority of the combined treatment package. (Author)

Examines rapid-tapping performance of 36 hyperkinetic and 36 control boys under conditions of free response, verbal urging, and penny rewards. Hyperkinetics were unable to adjust to changing incentive conditions. (Author/EK)

Partial ascription of blame for deviant behavior must be placed on the classroom teacher and parent who reinforce negative behavior by reacting to it. Severe criticism, threats, and cajoles reinforce antisocial behavior whereas praise reduces it. (Author/CG)

From a special feature on "Violence & Agression. Other articles in the feature include "Aggression in the Classroom by Fritz Redl, "Temper Trantrums by A.E. Trieschman, and "Anger in Children by George V. Sheviakov.

Results indicated that adolescent males who maintain a relatively high level of acting out during residential treatment, in spite of firm and consistent treatment approaches, perceive their parents differently than do adolescents who exhibit increased self-control in the treatment setting. (SBH)

Changes with aging and stability of dimensions of behavioral disturbance were determined for 732 children and adolescents who constituted the sample reassessed after 5 years of an original cross-sectional sample of Manhattan youth 6 to 18 years old. (Author/SBH)

This case study applied functional assessment methods to problem behavior of an adult male with severe mental retardation within the natural home setting. The problem behaviors did not occur when the subject was able to participate in a more preferred activity regardless of whether he chose the day activity program or it was chosen for him. (DB)

A study of 288 students with moderate to severe mental retardation investigated the relationship between curricular activities and problem behaviors. Findings indicated a positive correlation between ratings of curricular activities (based on activities being socially functional, peer referenced, and behaviorally functional) and students'…

Behavioral and emotional characteristics were compared for 29 sexually and 52 physically abused hospitalized psychiatric children. Results indicated that sexually abused children exhibited greater sexual behavior, fear/mistrust/anxiety, and withdrawal than physically abused or nonabused children. There were no significant differences between…

This study compared parental assessments of problem behaviors among 81 alleged sexual abuse victims and 90 nonabused comparison subjects. Findings indicated that sexual abuse victims exhibit more problem behaviors, but caution must be exercised when interpreting individual behaviors because of their frequency in a nonabused sample. (Author/JDD)

This article reviews literature on the responses of direct care staff to challenging behaviors of individuals with mental retardation. The paper constructs a behavior analytic description of the functions of care staff behavior in relation to their clients' challenging behaviors, draws a distinction between contingency-shaped and rule-governed…