The primary objective of this investigation is the formulation of random intercept latent profile transition analysis (RI-LPTA). Our simulation investigation suggests that the election between LPTA and RI-LPTA for examination has negligible impact on the estimation of transition probability parameters when the population parameters are generated…

The literature on social class disparities in health and education contains 2 underlying, yet often opposed, models of behavior: the individual model and the structural model. These models refer to largely unacknowledged assumptions about the sources of human behavior that are foundational to research and interventions. Our review and theoretical…

Adolescence is a developmental period that entails substantial changes in affective and incentive-seeking behavior relative to both childhood and adulthood, including a heightened propensity to engage in risky behaviors and experience persistent negative and labile mood states. This review discusses the emotional and incentive-driven behavioral…

Children with developmental disabilities are slower to develop skills at intentional and symbolic communication than typically developing children, and may rely on atypical patterns of preintentional behaviors to support more complex communication development. The present study compared complex gaze engagement behaviors elicited by 25…

The author explores the theory of changing basic thought processes in order to improve personal performance on the job. This entails helping people identify their existing thoughts and replacing the ones that won't support performance goals with those that will. (CT)

Five experiments with severely retarded noncompliant males made use of behavioral momentum to increase compliance. A series of commands with which the subject was very likely to comply were issued immediately prior to issuing a low-probability command. Results indicated increased compliance and decreased compliance latency and task duration.…

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.…

This case study applied functional assessment methods to problem behavior of an adult male with severe mental retardation within the natural home setting. The problem behaviors did not occur when the subject was able to participate in a more preferred activity regardless of whether he chose the day activity program or it was chosen for him. (DB)

A discussion is presented of the problems inherent in attempting to develop a national policy for health education. Health education is defined as any combination of learning experiences designed to facilitate voluntary adaptations of behavior conducive to health. The major difficulties facing developers of national health education are identified…

Determined the effectiveness of a voluntary educational program on the drinking attitudes and behaviors of college students (N=1,000). Survey results revealed that for those subjects who participated in the program, there was a significant improvement in their drinking attitudes and behaviors. (Author/RC)

Examination of staff responses to problem behaviors in three community-based group homes found that staff tended to rely heavily on verbal approaches to address problem behavior of people with intellectual disability, using other strategies only when the initial response failed. Findings suggest that staff behavior is negatively reinforced by the…

A model to explain the adventure experience and to relate adventure experience to adventure education uses risk and competence as diagram axes with experimentation/exploration, adventure, peak adventure, misadventure, and disaster/devastation completing the framework. The model assumes that peak adventure, the point at which personal competence…

This study evaluates impact of collaborative efforts of parents and school professionals in the treatment of autism in a five-year-old boy. Method of treatment was discrete trial training across settings (e.g., home and school) and change agents were the child's parents, siblings, special education teacher, resource teacher, and speech…

This study evaluated the outcomes of an ongoing child day-treatment program in operation at a health treatment center in the Midwest. The program emphasized development of social skills through modeling by adults and practice with peers in 3-hour sessions that met 4 times a week. Evaluation focused on the extent to which clients improved in social…

Initiated in 1968 for "hardcore unemployables," the Adolph Coors Manpower Challenge Program combines a modified Outward Bound Course with a period of work in the Coors Recycling Yard, followed by permanent placement in the Coors Brewery. Based on changing participants' attitudes, the program eases transition to full employment in four…