Two concepts describing human special behavior are delineated. A field experiment was designed to test whether personal belongings left as markers in public areas (i.e. cafeteria setting) function to protect a territory or to maintain a comfortable social distance. It is suggested the term territory" be restricted to situations in which the space…

It was found that the going-together couples held traditional orientations toward each other with commitment to marriage forming a strong part of this orientation. The effects on marriage rates for living-together couples were seen to depend upon which of the partner's positions prevailed. (Author)

Hypothesized that stability of a friendly dyadic interpersonal relationship varies with similarity of perceived views of problems of lasting concern. Students (N=76) at the Indian Institute of Technology completed a three-part questionnaire about friendly relationships, Individual Problem Blank, and Problem Checklist. Results supported the…

Examined attitudes of probation officers to determine how these attitudes correlated with decisions to recommend sentences of incarceration or probation for hypothetical defendants described in six case studies. Used Fishbein's theoretical model for the prediction of behavioral intentions to examine this relationship. Implications and suggestions…

Evaluates the degree to which the social-referencing perspective provides a valid explanation of some features of infant behavior. (MP)

Observes the seating arrangements by sex of three or more people seated at rectangular tables in 176 social and 150 nonsocial settings. Postulates the importance of situational context and learned sexual norms in the observed spatial behaviors. (RL)

In seminar situations, more informed decisions might be made as a result of verbal exchanges if a free flow of ideas is possible, but this study suggests that status structures deter development towards sound logical conclusions. Status hierarchies occur, and periods of useless oratory support status systems at the expense of educational aims. The…

Social information-processing patterns in 9- through 12-year olds at least partially supported 3 hypotheses: only reactive-aggressive children would demonstrate hostile biases in their attributions of intentions in provocation situations; only proactive-aggressive children would evaluate aggression in positive ways; and proactive-aggressive…

The play behaviors of three groups of preschool children were compared. The physically abused children (N=11) were more antisocial, disruptive, and aggressive yet passive. The 15 sexually abused children were relatively quiet and engaged in more female-type activities, while 10 non-abused control group children exhibited more positive peer…

Aggressive and cooperative behaviors of 70 preschool children were measured during game conditions and subsequent free-play periods. Cooperative behavior increased and aggression decreased during cooperative games and free play; conversely, competitive games were followed by increases in aggressive behavior and decreases in cooperative behavior.…

This study investigated the duration, frequency, and trajectory of passive behavior in 14 children (developmental age 1-3) with Down syndrome and 14 controls over a 47-minute independent play session. Subjects exhibited more time in passive behavior and for some, passivity increased commensurate with time spent in the play session. (Contains…

Develops an objective basis for categorizing and measuring communication variables in a variety of social situations. See CS 703 632 for subscription information. (MH)

In order to assess differences in social behavior patterns among ethnic groups, videotapes were produced of eight brief social episodes that occur commonly in elementary schools, each taped once with Black actors and once with Mexican-American actors. These were shown to 127 Black and Mexican-American boys and girls from third and sixth grade…

A pair of 9-year-old boys with socioemotional and interpersonal difficulties was observed unobtrusively in 35 weekly hour-long therapy sessions over the course of 2 school years. A transcript/narrative analysis technique was used to identify all interpersonal negotiation strategies each child used within each session. Strategies were classified…

Twenty behavioral attributes which predict social distance were examined among mainstreamed developmentally handicapped (n=8) and normal (n=93) junior high school students. The sample consisted of a predominantly white, middle-class, suburban, midwestern school district. The developmentally handicapped students were mainstreamed into each of six…