Compared structural family therapy (SFT), individual psychodynamic child therapy (IPCT) and control condition for Hispanic boys (N=69) with behavior and emotional problems. Findings suggest that control condition was less effective in retaining cases than treatment conditions, and SFT was more effective than IPCT in protecting family integrity.…

A study of 152 teacher preparation students, at three different training levels, found that students considered social defiance behaviors (destructiveness, aggression, disobedience) by pupils less tolerable, more controllable by the child, more costly, and more likely to be managed with restrictive behavior than social immaturity behavior…

This study assessed the effectiveness of posting signs for reducing graffiti in three men's restrooms on a college campus. Immediately following the intervention, no marks were made, and results were maintained at three-month follow-up. A possible explanation for the results is that the signs specified an altruistic contingency. (Author/DB)

Language intervention approaches were built into a residential environment for 13 women with severe mental retardation. Two residents were assigned to an intensive signing program, two to an "Intro-talker and signing" group, and the remaining residents to various comparison-intervention and comparison groups. Increases in positive communicative…

Discusses techniques that elementary school teachers can use to recognize and correct minor behavior problems in their students. Incidences of inattention, disruptive behavior, and bad manners can be used as teachable moments to model or discuss good behavior. Teachers can also use newsletters to communicate with parents about prosocial skills.…

Case studies were conducted of 10 children (ages 4-6) with behavior risks. Hypotheses regarding the function and maintenance of misbehaviors suggested that children received immediate tangible rewards, children received interaction with the teacher, and children received increased attention from adults. Intervention to counter these functions…

Discusses a workshop that used feminist pedagogy to challenge students' deeply ingrained sexism, promote their appreciation of differences, and encourage them to change their behavior voluntarily. Participants involved a group of male students undergoing punishment in the campus judicial system. Workshop results are discussed. (GR)

This commentary on EC 608 301 points out that devotion to the natural science canon of experimental proof in the area of generality testing requires proof procedures that are difficult, expensive, or impossible, but adopting a different canon of proof will not produce the desired certainty about the accuracy of the answer. (JDD)

Teachers completed the Connors' Teacher Rating Scale on 100 boys (ages 6-8) who either had attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mental retardation, both ADHD and mental retardation, or no disability. Children with mental retardation were generally more anxious than normal peers, but there were few differences between the normal IQ ADHD…

Addresses questions such as why children have temper tantrums, how teachers and parents should respond to a demanding child, and how behavioral outbursts can be used to help children deal constructively with powerful emotions. Distinguishes between normal and severe tantrums, and conceptualizes and suggests intervention techniques. (BAC)

Examined the association between developmental outcomes, such as social competence, and child-rearing practices and attitudes in a sample of 38 preschool-aged foster children and their foster mothers. Findings indicated that higher quality child-rearing practices consistently were associated with fewer emotional and behavioral problems, and that a…

Discusses development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in children living in violent homes and communities. Discusses the role of teachers in creating classrooms that feel safe. Notes the importance of relearning safety to children who have PTSD. Describes strategies to create feeling of safety in the children. (BAC)

A benefit-cost analysis was conducted to compare services for 11 individuals with severe mental retardation and challenging behaviors who had been moved from an institution to a community setting. Overall, the community-based program costs represented slight public savings over costs in the state institution. Less quantifiable benefits were also…

Examined the relationship between teachers' ratings of classroom behavior and fourth graders' achievement. Inattentive-withdrawn and disruptive students were identified. Found that inattentive-withdrawn behavior was associated with depressed academic performance at least as much as disruptive behavior. Results suggest that teachers attend more to…

Although special units for students with emotional and behavioral difficulties are supposed to be integrated within British comprehensive schools, study of one unit revealed a complex process of labeling and stereotyping that marginalized these students, a large proportion of whom were from minority groups. (SK)