Examined the relationship between perceived mental illness and attribution of responsibility. Subjects evaluated data from various accident cases. Although greater mental illness was attributed to alcoholism and paranoid cases, greater responsibility was attributed to the alcoholic. Only in the normal case was greater responsibility related to…

Particular emphasis is on self-instruction, self-determined criteria, self-assessment, and self-reinforcement. Self-punishment, comprehensive programs, and innovative self-control procedures (including distraction and restatement of contingencies) are also evaluated. (Author/DLS)

Data on couples show that rates of domestic violence are related to attitudes about violence and to social structural variables. With respect to physical punishment of one's children and to spousal violence, findings show a spouse's violence has greater impact on the respondent's violence than the respondent's own attitudes about violence.…

Among the findings were that the treatment procedure produced immediate and substantial suppression effects on the self-injurious behavior, which generalized to the nontraining environment and endured over an eight-month interval. (Author/DLS)

Reports three experiments which investigated the reactions of children in grades 1-6 to the perpetrators and victims of injustices. Addresses the possibility that characteristics of the perpetrators may affect reactions to the victim. (JMB)

Children's judgments of whether another's misdeeds warrant punishment and, if so, how much punishment, appear to depend upon (1) the degree of external constraint (e.g., provocation) on the transgressor, (2) the age of the child making the judgment, (3) the sex of the transgressor and (4) the sex of the child making the judgment. (BH)

Kindergartners, third and sixth graders were asked to evaluate factors in filmed sequences depicting accidental or intentional damage followed by expiation, explanation or no reprimand. (MS)

This study investigated the relationship between sex guilt and drug preferences. Seventy polydrug users completed a drug preference inventory and the Mosher Forced-Choice Sex Guilt Subscale. Results indicated that individuals who prefer sedatives are higher in sex guilt than either individuals who prefer stimulants or individuals with no definite…

Discusses problems that often occur in the implementation and maintenance of incentive programs in residential institutions for adolescents. Suggests recommendations for overcoming these problems. (MS)

Compared the behavioral prediction and moral judgment of 72 preschoolers and 24 college students. Found that most participants of all ages made categorical judgments of act acceptability based solely on outcome. When assigning punishment, many 3-year-olds used a simple intention or outcome rule, whereas older participants were more likely to use a…

Secondary analysis of data on 518 low-income mothers examined the impact of mothers' childhood sexual abuse and quality of family relationships on parenting. Child sexual abuse was associated with more negative views of self as a parent and the greater use of physical punishment strategies, even after accounting for differences in family-of-origin…

Considers traditional classroom discipline systems as patriarchal moral systems focused on hyperindividuality and dependent upon rules, consequences, and principles focused through authoritarian structures. Critiques the Assertive Discipline, Control Theory, and Discipline with Dignity discipline systems, and proposes an alternative model for…

Judicial decisions have set boundaries on the ability of educational institutions to write rules governing student conduct and have defined the necessary components of a fair procedure to be used to assess disciplinary sanctions. This legal evolution affirms the respect shown students as citizens of the academic community. (Author)

Absenteeism of 130 direct-care staff in a residential facility for developmentally disabled persons was reduced by 27 percent through positive reinforcement for reliable attendance and punishment (progressive discipline) for attendance abuse. Reduced absenteeism was maintained for 12 months and overtime was reduced, but staff turnover increased.…

Education does not flourish in prisons because of prevailing notions about the punitive and retributive purposes of prisons. The United Nations is considering a Declaration of Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners that is intended to bring education to the forefront of criminal justice policy. (SK)