The validity of using self report to assess competence on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales was investigated with 16 mentally retarded adults. Self report and informant report showed close agreement for both daily living skills and socialization. Higher functioning subjects provided more information regarding problem behaviors than did their…

The paper discusses H. Goddard's identification of the "moron" and advances the thesis that mild mental subnormality developed as a "scientific" explanation for the socially unacceptable behavior of economically marginal persons, with Goddard's classification being grafted onto a traditional identification based upon judgments…

Four developmentally disabled children (ages 3-5) identified as noncompliant received a standard set of adult requests under three conditions: no reinforcement, noncontingent reinforcement, and reinforcement contingent on compliance. Among results was that the contingent reinforcement procedure produced covariation in all subjects' compliance and…

Results of a case study designed to test the hypothesis that acting-out students would exhibit less disruptive behavior when grouped with "well-behaved" peers than when grouped with disruptive peers indicated that placement with well-behaved peers significantly reduced disruptive behavior, suggesting that grouping is an effective and nonintrusive…

Randomly selected students from two disruptive classes (n=28 and n=30) were subjected to a daily report card reinforcement system. The study employed a time series design. Results showed significant improvements in work and behavior of both sets of target students and positive 'spill-over' effects in one class. Concludes with recommendations for…

This study found that boys receive a higher average level of individual attention from their teachers but that the difference between boys and girls is much less dramatic than is sometimes claimed. This imbalance may be seen as a problem of classroom management rather than of sexist bias. (Author/CT)

Mothers (N=61) of children referred for psychological treatment completed the Beck Depression Inventory, Locke-Wallace Marital Adjustment Test, and Conners Parent Rating Scale; teachers also completed the Conners Teacher Rating Scale. Mothers' ratings were significantly correlated with teachers' ratings, but fathers' were not. Findings confirm a…

Three interpersonal patterns are described as one way to classify types of gifted students with social problems: disapproval, entitlement, and unmet expectations. Examples of student behavior and counseling implications of each pattern are noted. (CL)

Five ways of preventing behavior problems in children with learning disabilities are described: (1) consider the classroom environment; (2) develop effective methods for managing behavior, including a workable set of classroom rules; (3) use scheduling to prevent behavior problems; (4) use lesson planning as a behavior management tool; and (5)…

Found general and area specific self-esteem scores of high school students (N=195) to be inversely related to indices of maladaptive behavior. The specific maladaptive behaviors associated with self-esteem varied as a function of gender and social class. (Author/BH)

Compares the factor structure and degree of deviance in the Behavior Problem Checklist. Regardless of the subject child's sensory handicap, the Conduct Problem and the Personality Problem factors were consistent. The pattern for the Inadequacy-Immaturity factor was much less consistent. (Author/AS)

Among 30 families who received parent training, children's behavior improved significantly. Data showed significant increases in mothers' praises and reductions in mothers' negative behavior, children's non-compliance and deviance. Reductions in non-compliance and deviance were found 1-year later. Significantly more of the mother/child dyads who…

Compared results of 1982 alcohol use survey at the University of Northern Colorado with a similar 1978 study. Results indicated a continued high level use of alcohol among the students. Taste was selected as the number one reason for alcohol consumption. Alcoholics Anonymous and campus resources were identified as sources of problem assistance.…

Hearing impaired students who display inappropriate negative responses to everyday classroom events can be helped through four techniques: (1) counter-conditioning, (2) vicarious learning, (3) systematic desensitization, and (4) progressive muscle relaxation. (CL)

Playful wrestling, splashing, fidgeting, chair-tilting, and a number of other behaviors by children often result in injuries, tantrums, or conflicts in families. Exact limits can be established in these instances with an intervention which integrates strategic, structural, and cognitive-behavioral approaches. Two case examples are presented and…