Researchers in behavioral sciences are often interested in longitudinal behavior change outcomes and the mechanisms that influence changes in these outcomes over time. The statistical models that are typically implemented to address these research questions do not allow for investigation of mechanisms of dynamic change over time. However, latent…

The current article provides a review of adoption research since its inception as a field of study. Three historical trends in adoption research are identified: the first focusing on risk in adoption and identifying adoptee-nonadoptee differences in adjustment; the second examining the capacity of adopted children to recover from early adversity;…

Discusses present trends in research, teaching, and practice in the field of behavioral development. Describes behaviorism and cognitivism as two basic theoretical influences on research in Brazil. An action-oriented approach prevails, including work with underprivileged and mentally retarded children. However, the number of published scientific…