The definition of mental disorder in the third edition of the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM-III-R) explains that a disorder is harmful and represents a dysfunction, but it fails to capture the idea of dysfunction. Ideas for increasing the conceptual validity of the definition are presented. (SLD)

Paralinguistic behaviors, including speech rates and turn-taking behaviors, of five-year-old boys who stutter (n=11) and boys who do not stutter (n=11) and their fathers were investigated. No significant differences were found in comparisons of the two groups of fathers or of the two groups of children for any of the paralinguistic behaviors.…

Developed scale to assess routinization (tendency to maintain daily events of one's life in relatively unchanging and orderly pattern of regularity) among older adults. Findings from over 200 older adults revealed 2 underlying factors: Having Order and Routine in daily living and Disliking Disruption. Evidence was found for validity of the 20-item…

Compared patterns of use and attitudes toward alcohol by college athletes (n=71) and nonathletes (n=75). Analysis indicated minimal differences existed between drinking behaviors of athletes and nonathletes; the more negative attitudes of athletes toward alcohol consumption did not result in drinking behaviors distinct from nonathletes.…

Examined effects of being a smoker on employment prospects in three studies using college students (or their acquaintances) as subjects (n=122). Results implied smokers may reduce their employment handicap by directly eliminating the basis for the preference, such as by not volunteering information about their status as a smoker or by promising…

A model is presented that demonstrates that a random response to external constraint can produce results similar to those predicted by more complex models. Behavior that appears rational, optimal, or adaptive may truly be a random response to external constraint. Predictions based on this model may provide appropriate null hypotheses. (SLD)

Tests a team-learning model in a multimethod field study. A study of 51 work teams in a manufacturing company showed that team psychological safety is associated with learning behavior, but team efficacy is not, when controlling for team psychological safety. Learning behavior mediates between safety and performance. (54 references) (MLH)

Examines the theoretical constructs about the effects of coalitions in the father-mother-child triad from a family systems perspective. How this triadic view interacts with the historical patriarchal structure and with issues of power is addressed from a feminist perspective. (Author/MKA)

Introduces Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB) as a factor that contributes to the performance ratings of counselors. Describes models of OCB and circumstances that encourage its use. Suggests a method for integrating OCB sensitization training into counselor education programs as a means to prepare counseling interns, including information…

Studies the relationship of sensation-seeking to alcohol use and risk-taking behavior in a sample of college women. Risk-taking behavior measured in a driving simulation task was affected by state of intoxication. Results indicate that the personality trait of sensation-seeking appears to play an important mediating role in alcohol use and…

Studied levels of principled moral reasoning of 145 teacher education students in comparison with 2 composite samples of students with other majors. Results corroborate earlier findings that teacher education students demonstrate significantly lower principled moral reasoning scores and suggest that levels of moral reasoning may affect ethical…

Presents empirical contributions to the scholarship on African American suicide, particularly among men. Discusses the secular trends in suicide completion and method-specific suicide patterns; the prevalence of ideation and attempts; suicide-related risk factors; evidence-based recommendations for suicide prevention; the need for more effective…

Examines children's ability to use their knowledge to guide their behavior in a dimensional change, color-shaped card sort. Subjects were asked to sort cards according to different guidelines. Four experiments were carried out which show a disassociation between knowledge and its use. Findings indicate that knowing rules is sometimes insufficient…

Studied whether substance use, transgressive behavior, and delinquency were related to the quality of peer relations for 508 12- to 18-year-olds. Findings show that substance use and transgressive behavior are positively related to the quantity and quality of peer relations. (SLD)

Suggests that silence--avoidance or termination of talk in problematic and face-threatening situations-is used by hard-of-hearing people as a face-saving strategy in communication with hearing people. One hundred hearing-impaired people were asked to list situations in which they refrain from conversation due to embarrassment. (Author/JL)