Interviews with 60 female victims (ages 7-12) of sexual abuse found that most viewed relationships with their mothers as warm and accepting. Girls who perceived lower maternal rejection had higher competency ratings and fewer behavior problems. Abuse involving force was correlated with lower victim competency. More violent abuse was correlated…

This response to a paper by Guess and Carr (EC 602 212) on stereotypy and self-injurious behavior in the disabled commends their theoretical thoroughness and attention to prevention but notes the lack of attention to neuroanatomical and neurochemical aspects of such behavior patterns. (DB)

This study evaluating race and gender differences in the occurrence and treatment of disciplinary problems in 4,391 elementary and secondary school children's files found substantial differences between males and females and between whites and African Americans in number of referrals for disciplinary action, frequency of corporal punishment, and…

Problem behavior theory predicts that norm-violating attitudes and activities reflect syndrome. Findings from community sample revealed that criminal behavior was more determined by general deviance in adulthood than in young adulthood, whereas sexual involvement became less determined by common factors between these times. Drug use and low social…

A brief biographical sketch of Burrhus Frederick Skinner is offered, followed by a review of his impact on education and psychology. His research in radical behaviorism, his theoretical contributions, development of programed instruction techniques, token economies, and numerous inventions by himself and his proteges are summarized. (PB)

Self-rated and teacher-rated social competence levels were obtained for 121 sixth, seventh, and eighth graders who were normal, depressed, or had conduct problems. Depressed children's self-ratings of social competence were lower than self-ratings of children in other groups. There were no teacher-rated differences. (BC)

Three mothers of children (ages 4-9) who had disabilities and exhibited serious behavior management problems were taught child management techniques and planned activities techniques, using in-home coaching and written prompts for use in generalization settings. Results suggested that such training is effective but needs to be individualized.…

The validity of the subscales of the Reiss Screen for Maladaptive Behavior in an institutional population was examined by correlating these scores with the Psychopathology Instrument for Mentally Retarded Adults, the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, and programmatic measures. Results support previous research on Reiss total score validity, though…

Applied structural equation modeling to twin data to assess impact of genetic and environmental factors on children's behavioral and emotional functioning. Applied models to maternal ratings of behavior of 515 monozygotic and 749 dizygotic twin pairs. Importance of genetic, shared, and specific environmental factors for explaining variation was…

Examines some effects that diagnosis of autism may bring to family and some of potential family stressors that presence of autistic child may present. Discusses problem areas, including communication, bonding, early sleep patterns, unpredictable behavior, difficulties created by changes in routine, splinter effects, respite, and financial matters.…

Describes prospective longitudinal studies that pertain to stability, developmental pathways, and long-term outcome for conduct problems and hyperactivity. Reviews treatment outcome studies for these problems with at least one year of follow-up data. Discusses implications of longitudinal research for diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of…

Assessments were made of possible functions of overactive behaviors for two adults with severe intellectual disability using both ecological analyses and cluster analyses. Two ecological approaches suggested that the behaviors of both clients were related to levels of environmental stimulation. Cluster analyses showed that the behaviors, though…

The Johnstown (Pennsylvania) Middle School has adopted a simple, practical school bus discipline program that refers disruptive students to the bus-duty teacher to discuss the incident. The bus driver's written report activates the bus-rider training program, featuring temporary loss of riding privileges, a simulated bus ride, a safety video, a…

Investigated early motherhood and child conduct problems in 253 boys referred to psychology/psychiatry clinics. Found early motherhood significantly correlated with number of conduct disorder symptoms in boys. Of three models compared, one positing that teenage motherhood is spuriously related with child conduct problems because of common…

Describes an elementary school exercise in which students are assigned to write letters about their acts of misbehavior to persons involved in the incidents. Points out that such letters contain the elements of (1) a real, knowable audience; (2) internal motivation; and (3) a concern for clarity. Includes examples of student letters. (SG)