Two variants of the habituation paradigm were used to investigate fine orientation discrimination and shape constancy in 34 young infants. Results demonstrate that conditions determine whether young infants show sensitivity to relatively fine variations in pattern orientation or give evidence of shape constancy with the same patterns. (HOD)

Compared interpersonal and behavioral observational systems in their ability to differentiate families with a bulimic-anorexic daughter using the modified Marital Interaction Coding System (MICS) and the Structural Analysis of Social Behavior (SASB). Results showed both measures successfully discriminated between groups, accounting for…

Compared the reinforcement expectancies of adult alcoholics with beliefs of men and women in alcohol treatment programs, hospitalized medical patients, and college students through the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire (AEQ). Results indicated the previously defined AEQ beliefs apply to the alcoholic population and these populations significantly…

Two experiments were performed with five severely developmentally disabled individuals (13-26 years old) to test the relationship between toys as conditioned reinforcers and stereotypy. Findings suggested that conditioning reinforcers for play, such as toys, may result in a durable and possibly more cost effective procedure of dealing with…

Praises Peter Johnston's thoughtful, constructive use of the term dyslexia in his article that appeared in the May 1985, "Harvard Educational Review." (HOD)

Defines pornography, the aspect of sexuality which evokes most attention from the media, and discusses findings of the President's Commission on Obscenity and Pornography and of psychologists who have recently found that exposure to a portrayal where violence and sex are coupled does increase subsequent aggression toward a female. (MBR)

Defines and explicates the systems approach--the conceptual heart of educational technology--in the broader context of general systems theory, and presents four propositions based on principles from four schools of philosophical thought that may provide alternative means for analyzing the mediation of experience and practice of educational…

Discusses ethical principles necessary when evaluating students' communication skills. Stresses the importance of examining the ethics of this process because the evaluation of communication behavior is performed by individuals who are prone to subjectivity. (PD)

Reconstructs social indicators of activity patterns at age 17. Respondents (N=662) were asked to recall various features of daily life at that age. The results indicated a secular decline in the time adolescents spend in family and household settings and with parents nearby. (Author/JAC)

Seven clusters were identified from results of instruments measuring family social environment and family and child characteristics and behavior in 218 families with mildly retarded and educationally handicapped children (average 12 years). Ethnography and interview reports are presented for four of the families, and implications for…

Offers techniques designed to help adolescents learn the skills of self-management. (FL)

Presents a test of the Fishbein model of behavior prediction applied to predict the pregnancy risk-taking behavior of adolescent females (N=244). Analyses of data showed that the Fishbein model of attitude-behavior consistency seems to be applicable to the fertility-related behavior of adolescent females. (LLL)

Findings suggest that (1) the effects of rehearsal on deceptive success vary depending upon certain characteristics of the communicator/deceiver and (2) a relationship exists between certain behavior correlates of deceptive communication and observer accuracy in detecting deception. (PD)

Discusses friendship as one of the types of social relationships possible in school. Argues the importance of helping students form friendships in order to promote their social, psychological, and intellectual development. (FL)

To obtain national information on current college level drug programs, counseling centers (n=46) on large (10,000+) campuses were surveyed. Results indicated 85 per cent of the centers did not have established programs which responded to specific drug concerns. Other available resources included academic and community-based programs. Trends are…