The use of operant techniques in the classroom, especially with slow learners, was investigated, and several types of reinforcement were compared. Subjects were 129 fourth graders enrolled in a middle school in a disadvantaged rural Florida community. The subjects were stratified by race, sex, and homeroom and were randomly assigned to one of five…

This report (for January 1--June 30, 1970) is one of a regular series on the status and progress of studies on the nature of speech, instrumentation for its investigation and practical application thereof. Extended reports and manuscripts cover the following topics: Hemispheric Specialization for Speech Perception; Ear Differences in the Recall of…

This research proposal supports a program in social psychology which uses a variety of game paradigms and related tasks to obtain estimates of the relative dominance of various social motives including those of maximizing own gain (individualism), joint gain (cooperation), and relative gain (competition). Numerous major studies completed or in…

In order to assess the effects of environmental stimulation on the perceptual thresholds of high active and low active mentally retarded persons, 36 male and female residents from a state institution (mean IQ 56 and 60 for high and low groups, respectively) were observed under three conditions of environmental stimulation: no noise, white noise,…

During an experiment on infant behavior, it was observed that young children shared toys with their mothers; therefore, a series of research studies was designed to investigate this phenomenon. The general purposes of the research were: (1) to define sharing more precisely and develop objective measures of frequency and duration for it, (2) to…

This document reviews the published empirical literature concerned with the relationship between self concept and academic achievement. The construct of self concept is discussed with regard to common uses, measurement, and experimental development. Descriptions of relevant studies are presented according to their experimental designs or methods…

This document reports on a 2-year study of the influence of males on the development of children and impact of male aides on child-care activities. The study originally developed from clinical observations and research results concerned with effects of fathers' absence on children and adolescents. The first year of the program was for…

This study investigate the factor structure of the Nowicki-Strickland locus of control scales for children. A major objective of the research was to provide empirical evidence that can help to reveal the multi-dimensionality (or uni-dimensionality) of locus of control. This is an important distinction because locus of control will be a superior…

In this study, several examples of the relationship between environmental structure and the functional characteristics of objects interacting in an elementary educational environment are presented. These examples are interpreted within a frame of reference derived from a synthesis of concepts and principles from behavioral science and general…

This research focuses on a major characteristic of mass-education: the requirement that each child in the classroom perform the same learning tasks at the same time. Little is known about consequences of such instructional uniformity on learning, emotional growth and interpersonal relations. Three basic experiments were conducted. The first study…

The authors contend that the personality construct of "Machiavellianism" should be of concern to communication researchers because of its implicit relationship to the process of persuasion. Two studies are reported which investigate the relationship between the Machiavellian personality and two variables in the persuasive process: source…

Departing from Baconian science which focuses on explanation of the occurrence of events, Chomsky's linguistics involves a different orientation--namely the explanation of form to account for linguistic behavior. The "knowledge" upon which linguistic judgements are based involves the premise of innate mechanisms. The assumption that speakers and…

The research on parental deprivation done at the Wisconsin primate laboratories and related laboratories is summarized. Social isolation and certain other social conditions were observed in their effects on aggressive behavior. Isolate-reared rhesus monkeys show more abnormality in postures and movements than do socially reared monkeys from…

The purpose of this study was to develop a model which could be used to analyze the unique subculture of rural Appalachia and its relationship to both the educational problems and needs of the region. The model was intended to provide those responsible for determining the nature and direction of educational change in Appalachia with data vital to…

The aim of this study was to describe and analyze the nature of group work through a series of thirteen video taped classroom lessons for fourth grade students. Using a case approach technique, the emphasis was on methodological problems. The study showed that even the investigation of a single mode of instruction such as group work is a highly…