Positive health behaviors can be learned by observing the behavior of others and its consequences for them. Four processes--attention, retention, motor performance, and motivation--can be used by teachers to increase the effectiveness of modeling. (DF)

A discussion of the classification, differential diagnosis, etiology, assessment, and treatment of tic disorders is presented. A case study is included in which a school psychologist utilized behavioral consultation to assist a 9-year-old girl's parent and teacher in implementing a habit reversal program. (Author/LMO)

Deindividuation is a complex process in which a series of social conditions lead to changes in perception of self and of other people. Described is a classroom demonstration that illustrates this concept, revealing that even normal, well-adjusted college students are capable of highly inappropriate, antisocial behavior under certain conditions.…

Research conducted in an institutional living environment during times when program activities were minimal and clients were typically inactive showed that empirically based toy selection, construction, and modification, and environmental engineering to ensure convenient and constant material availability increased Ss' active engagement with toys.…

A 20-year-old institutionalized nonverbal male with Down's Syndrome was trained via total task chain training, verbal prompts, and self-reinforcements to acquire skills of a busperson at a community restaurant. The S acquired and performed skills at a situationally appropriate rate. (CL)

Three approaches demonstrated the usefulness of visual feedback and auditory feedback to improve the on-task behavior and academic productivity of deaf multihandicapped adolescents. The approaches feature inexpensive portable equipment that do not require lengthy teacher training. (CL)

Goal attainment scaling was used to monitor changes in seventh- and eighth-grade students with each student meeting with a health counselor several times during the study. Health counseling appears to be an effective educational strategy. (Author/DF)

Three articles discuss (1) an investigation of how nurses' attitudes, knowledge, and practice changed after a continuing education program on nursing management of adults with essential hypertension; (2) a study showing that even with enforced behavior changes, attitudes are slow to change; and (3) a workshop on principles of effective patient…

Describes how adults and teachers can change the negative behavior of children with positive affirmations. Steps include displaying a positive view of children, deciding who will be responsible for affirmations, individualizing affirmations for each child, and identifying appropriate delivery systems. Includes examples of affirmations and case…

Discusses issues concerning children's vulnerability to crisis during the early childhood years and describes an ecological model finding increasing favor among family researchers and clinicians. (Author/BJD)

Smoking cessation behaviors of college students using a university health service were examined. Forty successful and 32 unsuccessful quitters were interviewed through an open-ended questionnaire. Differences in success seemed related to techniques used to remain abstinent from cigarette smoking, expectations of ease or difficulty in quitting, and…

Describes Expandovision, a microcomputer-television connection which enables users to flash brief messages designed to improve their behavior on their television screens. Several incidents where subliminal persuasion has been used on television viewers in the past are recounted, and the effectiveness and dangers of subliminal persuasion are…

Intervention strategies to reduce the frequency of shuddering behavior of a preschool child are described. The techniques were explained and demonstrated to the parents for use at home. The multifaceted approach included relaxation exercises, planned activities, and positive reinforcement to induce behavioral change. (DWH)

Children in kindergarten and first grade were rewarded for telling stories about fantasy figures, then encouraged to donate their rewards to handicapped children. Main effects were found only for grade, with first-grade children donating more than kindergarten children. Type of story had a greater influence on first grader's donations. (Author/DWH)

The study compared changes in mental retardation level among persons in community-based services and institutionalized persons from the same geographic region. In general, persons in the community were more likely to increase their functioning level, while institution Ss decreased at a higher rate. Noteworthy differences were found among severely…