Focuses on whether early onset of noncoital sexual interactions (EONSI) is best understood in the same paradigm as adolescent problem behavior. A longitudinal study (N=927) revealed that EONSI was related to problem behavior; the higher ordered the noncoital sexual interaction was, the more strongly it correlated with measure of problem behavior.…

A study utilized both Descriptive Analysis (DA) and Experimental Analysis (EA) to examine the function of aggressive and destructive behavior for a boy (age 9) with Down syndrome and moderate mental retardation. By linking the two methods, an intervention was designed that decreased the student's aggressive/destructive behavior. (Author/CR)

Examines the effects of goal setting and feedback applied to teacher behavior as a means of producing desired changes in students' behavior during consultation. Results indicate that the intervention was effective at increasing appropriate student behavior and was judged by the teacher to be acceptable. Implications of results are discussed. (RJM)

A quarterly newsletter outlining childhood developmental and behavioral issues was sent to foster families. Foster parents (n=150) were pretested regarding their attitudes toward child development situations and behavior problems. Posttesting after the fourth issue found that many of these attitudes were influenced by material in the newsletter.…

Using a sampling of 1,801 students in grades K-6, provides school counselors with information about the frequency and the severity of specific behavior problems of boys and girls in classrooms. Also lists interventions recommended by teachers who report few of these problems in their classrooms. Statistical summaries appear in four appendices.…

Reviews laboratory research on behavioral momentum conducted with pigeons and summarizes its findings and their generality to people, including those with mental retardation. Discusses the high-probability procedure used to establish compliance in clinical settings and based in part on an extension of the momentum metaphor. (CR)

This commentary discusses John Nevin's article on establishing compliance via behavioral momentum involving high-probability procedures, and questions whether applications of behavioral momentum can be derived from the theory, whether applications could have been developed if the theory not been formulated, and whether the theory will add…

A study of an 11-year-old boy with autism and mild mental retardation found that his escape-maintained destructive behavior was reduced during instructional sequences with differential reinforcement of compliance, escape extinction without physical guidance, and demand fading. The procedure decreased destructive behaviors to near-zero levels and…

Considers four issues pertaining to aggression and adaptation: (1) conceptual and operational definitions of aggression; (2) how aggression relates to adjustment difficulties for boys and girls and for children from different ethnic and socioeconomic groups; (3) whether specific forms of aggression relate to truly positive correlates and whether…

Four studies based on two longitudinal investigations examined the relation between social rejection and increased antisocial behavior. Found that early peer rejection (ages 6 to 8) predicted growth in aggression (at ages 10 to 12); findings were replicated in children ages 5 to 8. Rejection exacerbated antisocial development only among children…

Examined anger regulation/display in family interaction when children were age 6 and child antisocial behavior longitudinally to age 7. Found that parents' ability to modulate their emotions/negative behavior and children's ability to down-regulate anger related to increased child anger latency. Hazard for child anger increased as parents'…

This study builds on two studies that explored the effect of a social skills intervention on problem behaviors displayed by elementary school children during recess. Findings conclude that social skills intervention significantly decreased problem behaviors among school children at recess. Implications for behavioral management and healthy school…

This study examined the effects of methylphenidate drug therapy and differential reinforcement on the disruptive behavior and task engagement of 3 children (ages 6 through 11) with mental retardation. Results indicated that both interventions were effective for two of the children. No evidence of an additive or synergistic effects of the two…

A study of 18 children with behavioral problems in inclusive elementary classrooms examined the effects of self-evaluation using videotapes of the children's interactions with their peers. Results showed increases in appropriate interactions for children with internalizing behavioral problems and decreases in inappropriate interactions for those…

Reliability and construct and criterion-related validity of scores on the Disruptive Behavior Rating Scale--Teacher Version were studied with 151 teachers of 1,766 elementary school students and 30 teachers of 131 students. Factor analysis confirmed a four-factor structure. Results support the measure's internal consistency and convergent…