Examined in a longitudinal study were the effects of conditions on alternation and perseveration of eight moderately and severely mentally retarded institutionalized adults. Available from: Ablex Publishing Corporation, 355 Chestnut Street, Norwood, New Jersey 07648. (CL)

The movement to decriminalize homosexuality is well launched and will no doubt continue. However, legal reform cannot itself bring about a complete redefinition of homosexuality. Gay activist groups are searching for other institutions that repress or inhibit homosexuals' liberation. (Author)

To determine whether children's observable kindergarten behavior might predict eventual educational risk, 40 of 94 children originally observed in their classrooms at the beginning of kindergarten were followed at completion of second grade. Attending behavior correlated highly with eventual risk, leading to speculation about early identification…

This paper discusses the functionality of the linguistic code in communication processes of a family in a crisis situation and in need of concealing its plight. Basic concepts of verbal interaction are discussed to show the difficulties of any open exchange of messages within a family with a dying patient. (Author)

Investigates in a controlled setting effects of a suicide threat. Produced greater self-rated anxiety and tension, greater physiological arousal, and an increase in the likelihood that the subject would talk to the stimulus person about suicide, death, or dying. (Author)

This paper discusses some expressive units of behavior which appear to have a widespread geographical distribution (in both morphology and significance); have a precocious ontogeny in infancy and childhood; and are used in appropriate social psychological settings even by congenitally blind, deaf-blind, and multiply handicapped youngsters.…

French native speakers' reactions to phone calls in the United States indicate a difference in the norms of interaction between the two countries. This difference, in turn, is understood when one realizes that the phone call, constituting a speech event, is open to different cultural interpretations. (CHK)

A comprehensive alcoholism treatment approach is proposed. Specific strategies are described that can enhance treatment success by reducing resistances and maximizing changes in dysfunctional family interaction patterns. Presented at the October, 1976 Annual Convention of the Gennessee Valley Psychological Association, Rochester, NY. (Author)

Eight German and eight Italian children were observed during their first year in preschool. Cultural differences and similarities in play and behavior and sex differences are reported. Findings suggest that strategies that children use to enter kindergarten or a new group exist universally. (Author/RH)

This study evaluated the validity of the Type A behavior pattern as measured by paper-and-pencil questionnaires. The Jenkins Activity Survey, Framingham Type A Scale, Thurstone Activity Scales, a new bipolar adjective Type A measure, and measures of achievement and nurturance needs were completed by 418 students. (Author/BS)

Sex differences in verbal family interactions were investigated in a group of 79 adolescents and parents from normal and psychiatric settings. Individual speech in interactions was observed and scored using the Constraining and Enabling Coding System. Findings showed strikingly higher levels of cognitive enabling speeches expressed by fathers and…

Parental reports of disagreements and serious disagreements about rules were examined. A questionnaire was developed and sent to 200 families with seventh-grade boys and girls. No gender differences were found. Disagreements were significantly correlated (positively) with parental reports of child oppositionalism and (negatively) with parents'…

The way in which some elderly widowers living alone experientially organize time can be viewed as on a continuum structured around the notion of a "day" as a central organizing focus. Related to this is the role of a "daily highlight" in organizing daily activities. Certain factors may help structure this experiential continuum. (Author/ABB)

Indicates that relationship type did not affect the maintenance strategies that partners chose; however, the partners' relationship intent and the sex-composition of the dyad had a significant impact on the selection of directness strategies. Suggests that individuals are not necessarily more likely to select directness strategies than balance or…

A study tracked the developmental and behavioral recovery of infants and preschool children (N=12) who had suffered brain injuries. Significant developmental recovery and behavioral progress occurred during the first 3.5 to 4 months following insult. However, self-stimulatory and atypical rhythmic habit patterns increased as the children passed…